COMMITTEE ON EPA 542-R-02-010 

 THE CHALLENGES OF January 2003 

 MODERN SOCIETY www.epa.gov/tio 

 www.clu-in.org 

 www.nato.int/ccms 

NATO/CCMS Pilot Study

Evaluation of Demonstrated and 

Emerging Technologies for the 

Treatment and Clean Up of Contaminated 

Land and Groundwater (Phase III) 

2002 

ANNUAL REPORT

Number 255 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION 
2002 

Annual Report 

NATO/CCMS Pilot Study

Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging 

Technologies for the Treatment and Clean Up 

of Contaminated Land and Groundwater 

(Phase III) 

Rome, Italy 

May 5-10, 2002 

January 2003
NOTICE 

This Annual Report was prepared under the auspices of the North Atlantic Treaty 

Organization=s Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (NATO/CCMS) as a service 

to the technical community by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. 

EPA). The report was funded by U.S. EPA=s Technology Innovation Office. The report was 

produced by Environmental Management Support, Inc., of Silver Spring, Maryland, under 

U.S. EPA contract 68-W-00-084. Mention of trade names or specific applications does not 

imply endorsement or acceptance by U.S. EPA. 
CONTENTS 

Introduction..............................................................................................................................................1 

Projects Included in the NATO/CCMS Phase III Pilot Study .................................................................3 

Summary Table........................................................................................................................................4 

Project 1: Bioremediation of Oil-Polluted Loamy Soil .....................................................................7 

Project 2: Pilot Test on Decontamination of Mercury-Polluted Soil...............................................16 

Project 3: Permeable Treatment Beds..............................................................................................19 

Project 4: Rehabilitation of Land Contaminated by Heavy Metals .................................................22 

Project 5: Application of Bioscreens and Bioreactive Zones ..........................................................29 

Project 6: Rehabilitation of a Site Contaminated by PAH Using Bio-Slurry Technique ................33 

Project 7: Risk Assessment for a Diesel-Fuel Contaminated Aquifer Based on Mass 

 Flow Analysis During Site Remediation .........................................................................35 

Project 8: Obstruction of Expansion of a Heavy Metal/Radionuclide Plume Around a 

 Contaminated Site by Means of Natural Barriers Composed of Sorbent Layers ............40 

Project 9: Solidification/ Stabilization of Hazardous Wastes..........................................................45 

Project 10: Metal-Biofilm Interactions in Sulphate-Reducing Bacterial Systems.............................60 

Project 11: Predicting the Potential for Natural Attenuation of Organic Contaminants 

 in Groundwater ................................................................................................................66 

Project 12: Treatability Test for Enhanced In Situ Anaerobic Dechlorination..................................70 

Project 13: Permeable Reactive Barriers for In Situ Treatment of Chlorinated Solvents .................81 

Project 14: Thermal Cleanup Using Dynamic Underground Stripping and Hydrous 

 Pyrolysis/Oxidation .........................................................................................................85 

Project 15: Phytoremediation of Chlorinated Solvents......................................................................92 

Project 16: In-Situ Heavy Metal Bioprecipitation ...........................................................................103 

Project 17: Gerber Site ....................................................................................................................109 

Project 18: SAFIRA.........................................................................................................................111 

Project 19: Succesive Extraction-Decontamination of Leather Tanning Waste Deposited Soil .....119 

Project 20: Innovative Treatment Technologies: A Summary of Work Completed on a 

 DNAPL Site at Cape Canaveral, Florida.......................................................................121 

Project 21: Development and Use of a Permeable Adsorptive Reactive Barrier System 

 for Ground Water Cleanup at a Chromium Contaminated Site....................................131 

Project 22: Thermal In-situ Remediation of the Unsaturated Zone by Steam Injection..................134 

Project 23: Bioremediation of Pesticides.........................................................................................138 

Project 24: Surfactant-Enhanced Aquifer Remediation...................................................................143 

Project 25: Liquid Nitrogen Enhanced Remediation (LINER): A New Concept for the 

 Stimulation of the Biological Degradation of Chlorinated Solvents .............................147 

Project 26: SIREN: Site for Innovative Research on Monitored Natural Attenuation ....................153 

Project 27: Hydro-Biological Controls on Transport and Remediation of Organic Pollutants 

 for Contaminated Land..................................................................................................158 

Project 28: Demonstration of a Jet Washing System for Remediation of Contaminated Land.......161 

Project 29: Automatic Data Acquisition and Monitoring System for Management of 

 Polluted Sites .................................................................................................................163 

Project 30: Approved Biological Treatment Technologies for the Sustainable Cleanup of 

 TNT-Contaminated Soil ...............................................................................................167 

Project 31: Phytoremediation Evaluation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Surface Soil....................171 

Project 32: Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater by Chemical Reduction 

 Using Zero-Valent Iron, Pneumatic Fracturing, and Reagent Atomization .................175 

Project 33: Chemical Ozidation and Natural Attenuation at the Camden County Landfill.............178 
Country Tour De Table Presentations..................................................................................................181 

Armenia ...........................................................................................................................................182 

Austria .............................................................................................................................................187 

Belgium ...........................................................................................................................................189 

Canada .............................................................................................................................................193 

Czech Republic................................................................................................................................197 

Finland.............................................................................................................................................200 

France ..............................................................................................................................................205 

Germany ..........................................................................................................................................212 

Greece..............................................................................................................................................215 

Italy..................................................................................................................................................217 

Japan ................................................................................................................................................220 

Latvia...............................................................................................................................................223 

Lithuania..........................................................................................................................................227 

The Netherlands...............................................................................................................................232 

Norway ............................................................................................................................................238 

Romania...........................................................................................................................................239 

Slovenia ...........................................................................................................................................241 

Spain................................................................................................................................................250 

Switzerland ......................................................................................................................................254 

Turkey..............................................................................................................................................258 

United Kingdom ..............................................................................................................................261 

United States of America.................................................................................................................271 

Country Representatives ......................................................................................................................277 

Attendees List ......................................................................................................................................280 

Pilot Study Mission..............................................................................................................................286 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

1 

INTRODUCTION 

The Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) established the Committee on the 

Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) in 1969. CCMS was charged with developing meaningful 

programs to share information among countries on environmental and societal issues that complement 

other international endeavors and to provide leadership in solving specific problems of the human 

environment. A fundamental precept of CCMS involves the transfer of technological and scientific 

solutions among nations with similar environmental challenges. 

The management of contaminated land and groundwater is a universal problem among industrialized 

countries, requiring the use of existing, emerging, innovative, and cost-effective technologies. This 

document reports on the fourth meeting of the Phase III Pilot Study on the Evaluation of Demonstrated 

and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment and Clean Up of Contaminated Land and Groundwater. 

The United States is the lead country for the Pilot Study, and Germany and The Netherlands are the CoPilot countries. The first phase was successfully concluded in 1991, and the results were published in 

three volumes. The second phase, which expanded to include newly emerging technologies, was 

concluded in 1997; final reports documenting 52 completed projects and the participation of 14 countries 

were published in June 1998. Through these pilot studies, critical technical information was made 

available to participating countries and the world community. 

The Phase III study, which concluded in 2002, focused on the technologies for treating contaminated land 

and groundwater. The study addressed issues of sustainability, environmental merit, and cost-effectiveness, with continued emphasis on emerging remediation technologies. The objectives of the study were to 

critically evaluate technologies, promote the appropriate use of technologies, use information technology 

systems to disseminate the products, and to foster innovative thinking in the area of contaminated land. 

The Phase III Mission Statement is provided at the end of this report. 

The Phase III pilot study meetings were hosted by several countries and at each meeting, a special session 

was held for the discussion of a specific technical topic. The meeting dates and locations were: 

• February 23-27, 1998: Vienna, Austria 

• May 9-14, 1999: Angers, France 

• June 26-30, 2000: Wiesbaden, Germany 

• September 9-14, 2001: Liège, Belgium 

• May 5-10, 2002: Rome, Italy 

The special session topics were: 

• Treatment walls and permeable reactive barriers (Vienna) 

• Monitored natural attenuation (Angers) 

• Decision support tools (Wiesbaden) 

• Performance validation of in situ remediation technologies (Liège) 

• Monitoring and measurement (Rome) 

This and many of the Pilot Study reports are available online at http://www.nato.int/ccms/ and 

http://www.clu-in.org/intup.htm. General information on the NATO/CCMS Pilot Study may be obtained 

from the country representatives listed at the end of the report. Further information on the presentations in 

this decision support tools report should be obtained from the individual authors. 

Stephen C. James 

Walter W. Kovalick, Jr., Ph. D. 

Co-Directors 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

2 

THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

3 

PROJECTS INCLUDED IN NATO/CCMS PHASE III PILOT STUDY
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

4 

SUMMARY TABLE 

 MEDIUM CONTAMINANT 

PROJECT COUNTRY 

Soil Groundwater VOCs SVOCs Pesticides/PCBs PHCs Inorganics 

NOTES 

1. Bioremediation of Oil-Polluted 

Loamy Soil Belgium T T T PAHs, munitions chemicals 

2. Pilot Test on Decontamination of 

Mercury-Polluted Soil Czech Rep. T T T T Hg, metals, PAHs, TPH 

3. Permeable Treatment Beds Germany T T T T T PAHs, BTEX, TCE, PCE 

4. Rehabilitation of Land 

Contaminated by Heavy Metals Greece T T Pb, Zn, Cd, As, H+, SO4

=

5. Application of BioScreens and 

Bioreactive Zones Netherlands T T T T T 

Chlorinated pesticides, 

BTEX, TPH, HCH, PCE, 

TCE 

6. Rehabilitation of a Site 

Contaminated by PAH Using 

Bio-Slurry Technique Sweden T T T 

PAHs, cyanides, metals, 

ammonium compounds 

7. Risk Assessment for a 

Diesel-Fuel Contaminated 

Aquifer Based on Mass Flow 

Analysis During Site 

Remediation Switzerland T T PHC 

8. Obstruction of Expansion of a 

Heavy Metal/Radionuclide 

Plume Around a Contaminated 

Site by Means of Natural 

Barriers Composed of Sorbent 

Layers Turkey T T T 

Pb, As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Hg, Ni, 

Zn; 137Cs, 90Sr, 238U 

9. Solidification/Stabilization of 

Hazardous Wastes Turkey T T T T PCBs, AOX, metals 

10. Metal-Biofilms Interactions in 

Sulfate-Reducing Bacterial 

Systems UK T T 

Metals (Cu, Zn, Cd), 

radionuclides (Lab-scale) 

11. Predicting the Potential for 

Natural Attenuation of Organic 

Contaminants in Groundwater UK T T T T T 

Coal tars, phenols, creosol, 

xylenols, BTEX, NH4

+

12. Treatability Test for Enhanced In 

Situ Anaerobic Dechlorination USA T T T TCE, DCE, VC, PCE 

13. Permeable Reactive Barriers for 

In Situ Treatment of Chlorinated 

Solvents USA T T T PCE, TCE, DCE 

14. Thermal Cleanup Using 

Dynamic Underground Stripping 

and Hydrous Pyrolysis/Oxidation USA T T T T 

PAHs, fuels, gasoline, 

chlorinated solvents, 

pentachlorophenol 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

5 

 MEDIUM CONTAMINANT

PROJECT COUNTRY 

Soil Groundwater VOCs SVOCs Pesticides/PCBs PHCs Inorganics 

NOTES 

15. Phytoremediation of Chlorinated 

Solvents USA T T 

TCE, TCA, DCE, PCE, 

xylenes, methyl chloride, 

TMB 

16. In-Situ Heavy Metal 

Bioprecipitation Belgium T T 

Heavy Metals (Zn, Cd, As, 

Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, sulfate) 

17. GERBER Site France T T T T T T 

Chlorinated solvents, 

BTEX, PCBs, phenols, 

phthalates, Pb, Zn 

18. SAFIRA Germany T T 

Complex contamina-tion, 

chlorobenzene 

19. Successive Extraction – 

Decontamination of Leather 

Tanning Waste Deposited Soil Turkey T T Tanning wastes 

20. Interagency DNAPL Consortium 

Side-by-Side Technology 

Demonstrations at Cape 

Canaveral, Florida USA T T DNAPLs 

21. Development and Use of a 

Permeable Adsorptive Reactive 

Barrier System for Ground 

Water Clean-up at a ChromiumContaminated Site Switzerland T T Chromium (VI) 

22. Thermal In-Situ Using Steam 

Injection Germany T T TCE, BTEX 

23. Bioremediation of Pesticides USA T T 

Chlordane, DDT, DDD, 

DDE, dieldrin, molinate, 

toxaphene 

24. Surfactant-Enhanced Aquifer 

Remediation USA T T PCE 

25. Liquid Nitrogen Enhanced 

Remediation (LINER) Netherlands T T Chlorinated hydrocarbons 

26. SIREN: Site for Innovative 

Research on Monitored Natural 

Attenuation UK T T Organic solvents 

27. Hydro-Biological Controls on 

Transport and Remediation of 

Organic Pollutants for 

Contaminated Land UK T T T T 

PAHs, phenols, substituted 

benzenes 

28. Demonstration of a Jet Washing 

System for Remed-iation of 

Contaminated Land UK T T 

Tars, petroleum 

hydrocarbons 

29. Automatic Data Acquisition and 

Monitoring System for 

Management of Polluted Sites Italy T T T TPH, BTEX 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

6 

30. Biological Treatment 

Technologies for the Cleanup of 

TNT-Contaminated Sites Germany T TNT 

31. Phytoremediation Evaluation for 

Petroleum Hydrocarbons in 

Surface Soil USA T T T Petroleum, PAHs 

32. Remediation of Chlorinated 

Solvents in Groundwater by 

Chemical Reduction Using ZeroValent Iron, Pneumatic 

Fracturing, and Reagent 

Atomization USA T T TCE 

33. Chemical Oxidation and Natural 

Attenuation at the Camden 

County Landfill USA T T Chlorinated ethenes 

KEY: 

AOX = adsorptive organic halogens 

BTEX = benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, 

and xylenes 

DCE = dichloroethene 

HCH = hexachlorocyclohexane 

PAHs = polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 

PCBs = polychlorinated biphenyls 

PCE = tetrachloroethene 

PHCs = petroleum hydrocarbons 

SVOCs = semivolatile organic compounds 

TMB = trimethylbenzene 

TCA = trichloroethane 

TCE = trichloroethene 

TNT = trinitrotoluene 

VC = vinyl chloride 

VOCs = volatile organic compounds 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

7 

Project No. 1 

Bioremediation of Oil-Polluted Loamy Soil 

Location 

“van Oss” site, 

former fuel storage depot, 

Neder-Over-Heembeeck 

Project Status 

Interim Report 

Media 

loamy soil 

Technology Type 

bioremediation 

Project Dates 

accepted 1994 

final report 1997 

Contaminants 

mineral oil 

Technical contact 

Ecorem nv 

Dr. Walter Mondt 

ir. Serge Van Meerbeeck 

Wayenborgstraat 21 

2800 Mechelen 

Tel: 015/29.49.29 

Fax: 015/29.49.28 

E-mail: Ecorem@glo.be 

Costs Documented? 

yes 

Project Size 

full-scale 

(proposed future pilot project) 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Name of the technology: Bioremediation of oil polluted loamy soil. 

Status of the technology: Highly innovative and reasonable costs. Further experiments are required to 

evaluate different bioremediation techniques for the decontamination of loamy soil. 

Project Objectives: Decontamination of oil polluted loamy soil by an in-situ activated biorestoration 

system, composed of a bioventing and a biostimulation system. 

Following the good decontamination results on the van Oss site, this project is considered as a first step 

towards a more general and more effective application of bioremediation of contaminated loamy soils. In 

collaboration with the ULB (Université libre de Bruxelles) Ecorem proposed a pilot project to NATO, 

with objective to examine which bioremediation techniques could efficiently be used in the 

decontamination of loamy soils polluted with hydrocarbons. 

2. SITE DESCRIPTION 

The van Oss site is a former fuel storage depot in Neder-over-Heembeek, contaminated with mineral oil. 

A topographical situation of the site is shown on Figure 1. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

Based upon a reconnoitring soil examination, it was proven that the soil as well as the groundwater of the 

former fuel storage depot van Oss was seriously contaminated with mineral oil. Compared to the 

contamination with this parameter, the presence of other components present was negligible. 

The volume of contaminated soil (unsaturated zone) was estimated, based on the reconnoitering soil 

examination, at 3.500 m3. Proceeding with these data, selective excavation of the contaminated zones was 

a first option to be considered. 

In order to draw up a detailed proposal for decontamination, Ecorem proposed an elaborated analysis 

campaign based on a sample grid. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

8 

Based on the analytical results and the positioning of the grid the volume of contaminated soil was 

assessed. Table 1 gives an overview of the volumes of contaminated soil. In Figure 3 the horizontal 

spreading of the mineral oil contamination in the soil is represented. 

Table 1: Overview of the volumes of contaminated soil (mineral oil)

>525mg/kg DES >1000 mg/kg DS >5000mg/kg DS 

Depth (cm) 

0-200 9231 m3 

14,770 tons 

6284 m3 

10,054 tons 

943 m3 

1509 tons 

0-250 10,997 m3 

17,995 tons 

6997 m3 

11,196 tons 

1050 m3 

1680 tons 

0-300 12,763 m3 

20,420 tons 

7711m3 

12,338 tons 

1156 m3 

1850 tons 

The cubing shows that the volumes of contaminated soil were considerably higher than estimated at first. 

As a result, Ecorem proposed an alternative decontamination technique, i.e., an in-situ activated 

biorestoration system composed of a bioventing and a biostimulation system. Bioventing consists of a 

forced air flushing of the unsaturated soil with as main objective the supply of oxygen in order to 

stimulate the biodegrading activity of the microorganisms present in the soil. The biostimulation in this 

project consisted of mixing the contaminated ground with compost and wood flakes, in order to obtain a 

porous matrix, and the addition of nutrients to enhance microbial activity. 

Decontamination of the unsaturated zone consisted of the following stages: 

A. Excavation of the Hot Spots 

Hot spots (areas with severe contamination - here areas where the concentration of mineral oil 

>5000mg/kg DS) are secondary sources of contamination, and can therefore inhibit the efficient 

functioning of an in-situ decontamination technique. It is thus essential that these secondary sources of 

contamination be removed, for the in-situ decontamination technique to have any chance of success. 

B. Biodegradation 

The efficiency of the biodegradation system strongly depends on soil characteristics. In order to obtain a 

good biological degrading, the oxygen level and level of nutrients need to be established in optima forma. 

A good supply of oxygen can only be realised in porous soils. Soils with limited air permeability, such as 

loamy soils, therefore need to be mixed with structure amelioration additives. Oxygen is necessary for 

hydrocarbon degradation, as this is done aerobically. Oxygen limitation leads to slowing down and 

discontinuing of the degradation kinetics. The creation of good air permeability is also of crucial 

importance for the bioventing. 

A second parameter, the nutrient supply is just as essential for a good biodegradation. In order to optimise 

the feeding pattern the soil should be mixed with bioactivating substrates. 

C. Soil Air Extraction 

The efficiency and the design of the soil air extraction strongly depend on the soil characteristics, as these 

have an important effect on the movement and transportation of soil air (gas). The most important 

determining soil characteristics are: soil structure, stratigraphy, porosity, grain size, water level, residual 

contamination, and presence of macro pores. 

The air permeability of the soil represents the effect of these different soil characteristics. The air 

permeability indicates to what extent fumes can float through a porous environment. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

9 

Air permeability and airflow velocity are linearly dependent. The higher the air permeability and the 

airflow velocity, the greater the chances of an effective soil air extraction. 

Taking into account that the loamy/clayey unsaturated zone at the van Oss site is heterogeneously built, 

the air transportation throughout the soil is prevented and the airflow velocity is relatively small. A 

solution to break this heterogeneity was to mix this oil with structure-enhancing additives till the depth of 

0.5 m above ground water level. This also enlarged the porosity of the soil, which was favourable for air 

transportation. 

In order to get a large zone of influence, the placement of horizontal injection and withdrawal drains was 

chosen. Placement of drains was performed in layers, the soil mixed with structure-enhancing additives 

being completed (Figure 2) 

The withdrawn air was purified in an air treatment establishment, consisting of following units: 

Air/Water Separator and Air Filter 

This separator and filter eliminates soil damp (water) and fine particles that may damage the mechanical 

equipment, and might disrupt further air treatment. The water discerned needs to be collected and, if 

contaminated, purified. 

Vacuum Pump 

The vacuum pump causes the suction in the underground. The compression heat in the pump causes a 

temperature increase and a corresponding decrease of the relative humidity of the airflow when leaving 

the blower. 

Air Cleaning Unit 

The pumped up air was treated by means of biofiltration and active carbon filtration. 

Measure Devices 

By measuring the different parameters the air treatment and soil air extraction could constantly be 

monitored and adjusted. 

The above mentioned decontamination concept has a double advantage: 

• It avoids transportation of considerable volumes of contaminated soil (approx. 12.000 tons with a 

concentration higher than 1000mgkg DM) to an adapted dumping-ground; 

• It relocates the problem of the desired quality from a problem of volume to a problem of time. The 

final quality of the soil is function of the time period in which the system is applied. 

The complete decontamination setting is represented in Figure 2. 

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

The bioremediation of the unsaturated zone was started in October 1995, after the hot spots had been 

excavated and the remaining soil had been mixed with compost and wood flakes. After two months a first 

analysis campaign was executed. The results have been visually represented in Figure 3. Further analysis 

campaigns were executed after 5 and after 10 months. These results have been represented in Figure 4 and 

Figure 5. Based on the visual representation of the horizontal spread of the contamination in the different 

figures it has become clear that the bioremediation technique is successful. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

10 

After ten months the mean concentration of mineral oil was less than 490 ppm, while the decontamination 

objective imposed by the BIM was a concentration of 900 ppm. 

From these results it is clear that bioremediation techniques can be efficient on loamy soil on short term, 

so that further examination for possible bioremediation techniques on finer textures offers quite a lot of 

perspective. 

5. COSTS 

The bioremediation technique was also a favourable concept regarding the cost of decontamination. The 

total cost for bioremediation of the unsaturated area amounted to about 20 million franks. A selective 

excavation of the contaminated grounds would have easily exceeded a 30 million franks’ cost price. 

6. PROPOSAL OF A PILOT PROJECT ON BIOREMEDIATION OF LOAMY SOIL 

Following the decontamination at the van Oss site, Ecorem proposed to NATO a pilot project, with 

objective to verify which bioremediation techniques are effective in the decontamination of contaminated 

loamy soils. 

In order to dimension the different technologies to be tested in the scope of this pilot project, the 

following activities are planned prior to the experimental stage: 

Characterization of the Soil to be Treated 

This stage consists of the analysis of the soil to be treated, regarding the most relevant organic and 

inorganic parameters. Therefore, a number of samples will be taken. A good characterisation is necessary 

because certain pollutants, even in low concentrations, have a certain inhibiting effect on the microbial 

activity. Complementary to these analyses a certain number of general parameters such as grain size, the 

C/N relation and the degree of humidity will be determined as well. 

Determination of Initial Microbial Activity 

The determination of initial microbial activity is performed based on the classical techniques used in soil 

microbiology, such as microscopical research (countings), determination of the biomass by fumigation 

and extraction, respiration measurements (CO2 production) and ATP determinations. 

Determination of the Maximum Potential Biodegradability of the Contamination Present 

In order to determine the maximum degradability of the pollutants, column tests with lysimeters are being 

executed. Therefore optimal conditions for microbial growth and degradation are created by means of 

addition of water, nutrients, air, microorganisms and other additives. During the column tests the 

pollutant concentration, the use of oxygen and the CO2 production are continuously monitored in order to 

obtain an accurate image of the biodegradability of the pollutants. 

The preparatory stages will result in a first indication of the potential applicability of bioremediation as a 

decontamination technique for loamy soils that were contaminated with hydrocarbons. 

Based on the results and conclusions of the preparatory stages a number of decontamination concepts and 

configurations will be tested on a lab scale. Regarding the in-situ decontamination techniques, this is only 

executed with the help of column studies based on soil column lysimeters. Regarding the ex-situ 

decontamination techniques, mainly bioreactor tests will be executed. 

Soil column lysimeters are simple but efficient means to verify the possibilities to what extent the soil can 

be in-situ decontaminated with the help of bioremediation techniques. In Figure 6 a schematic 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

11 

representation of the test setting is given. Different soil columns are being equipped as represented in 

Figure 6. In the test setting fluid solutions can be put in with the help of a time-directed system that is 

established on top of each column. Furthermore, air fumes can be added in each column. Before entering 

the column, the fumes are lead through a shaft filled with glass pearls to enable a uniform separation. 

Different column tests will be performed simultaneously to monitor the microbial activity and the 

evolution of the contaminants under different circumstances and feedings. The liquid solutions will 

mainly consist of nutrient mixtures containing nitrogen sources, phosphates and oligo-elements. For each 

column the effluent is collected and analysed on pH, conductivity and nutrient concentrations. In order to 

measure microbial activity in the column, the production of CO2 produced is determined. On the columns 

following treatments will be performed: control setting without specific treatment; only addition of water, 

addition of water and nutrients, addition of water + nutrients + microorganisms; addition of water + air + 

nutrients; addition of water + microorganisms + air + nutrients. 

Such soil column lysimeters are extremely well equipped to verify whether contaminated sites can be 

decontaminated in-situ with the help of bioremediation techniques. In addition, the column tests will be 

used for the evaluation of ex-situ decontamination techniques, during which the contaminated soil will be 

submitted to different preliminary treatments (e.g., mixing with compost). Different compost formulas 

and relationships in the process will be tested. 

Based on the results of the experiments on a lab scale, the most appropriate concepts will be tested on a 

larger scale, in order to obtain a more realistic idea. Therefore the ex-situ decontamination techniques will 

be tested in the soil-recycling centre. Regarding the in-situ decontamination techniques, the different 

contaminated zones in different sites will be isolated civil-technically in order to prevent a horizontal 

spreading of the contamination. The volume of isolated cells will amount to approximately 50m3. In order 

to prevent spreading towards the ground water, a pump and injection system are established around 

different cells. If possible slots will be dug to the depth of 2 to 3 m around the cells. From these slots 

horizontal perforated tubes will be installed under the cells to enable monitoring of the groundwater as 

well as of the soil vapour. With this sampling system the heterogeneity of the soil can be optimally 

studied. 

This decontamination experiments will be conducted on the future soil-recycling centre of s.a. Ecoterres 

in Brussels. This centre will be built on the van Oss site, owned by the G.O.M.B. Figure 7 gives an 

impression of the future soil-recycling centre. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

12 

Figure 1: 

Figure 2: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

13 

Figure 3: 

Figure 4: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

14 

Figure 5: 

Figure 6: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

15 

Figure 7: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

16 

Project No. 2 

Pilot Test on Decontamination of Mercury-Polluted Soil 

Location

Spolchemie a.s., 

Ústí nad Labem, 

Czech Republic 

Project Status

Final report 

Contaminants

Metallic mercury 

Technology Type

Wet gravity 

separation 

Project Dates

Accepted 

1999 

Final Report 

2000 

Media

Soil 

Technical Contact

Marek Stanzel 

KAP, Ltd. 

Trojská 92 

171 00 Prague 7 

Czech Republic 

Tel: (00-420-2) 83 09 06 14 

Fax: (00-420-2) 83 09 06 58 

E-mail: m.stanzel@prg.kap.cz 

Costs Documented?

Yes 

Project Size

Pilot test - 1 m3 (2 tons) 

Results Available?

No 

Project 2 was completed in 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The pilot test on decontamination of mercury-polluted soil consisting of excavation of mercury-polluted 

soil and on-site wet gravity separation was conducted at the area of Spolchemie located in the center of 

the city Ústí nad Labem in northwest Bohemia. The pilot test was conducted with the aim to demonstrate 

the recovery efficiency and possibility to fulfill the objective limit for decontamination, i.e., 70 ppm of Hg 

in treated soil. 

2. BACKGROUND 

In 1998, the investigation of pollution and risk assessment was finished in the area of Spolchemie, a large 

chemical plant located in the center of Ústí nad Labem in northwest Bohemia. High-grade elemental Hg 

pollution of soil was found in areas adjacent to former and current buildings of the mercury-cell process 

for producing caustic soda, caustic potash, hydrogen, and chlorine. Maximum concentrations of mercury 

often reach up to hundreds of thousands ppm. Total calculated amount of metallic Hg is 267-445 tons in 

222.740 m3

 of polluted soil. The mercury is present in the form of visible drops or softly dispersed in the 

soil. The scale and character of the pollution was presented in detail in previous papers. A scale of the 

cleanup project has not been decided yet, but it looks very probable that the main volume of polluted soil 

will be excavated and decontaminated and the lower level of pollution will be monitored only. The 

feasibility study evaluating decontamination methods used worldwide was performed. 

Because of a lack experience in decontamination of mercury-polluted soils in the Czech Republic, a 

project was conducted in 1998 for identification and laboratory tests for decontamination. The project 

aimed to select the most suitable method for decontamination of soils with massive pollution by mercury. 

For a large quantity of contaminated material the thermal method (used worldwide) is not considered 

suitable for our case because of high-energy costs. Regarding the laboratory tests, the experts of KAP 

decided to solve this problem by means of wet gravity separation, taking advantage of mercury’s specific 

physical and chemical properties. On the basis of laboratory tests, the Pilot Test Project for 

Decontamination of Mercury-Polluted Soil was elaborated and accepted in 1999. 

The main aim and tasks of the pilot test was to solve the following problems in semi-industrial scale: 

• to check recovery efficiency of the proposed gravity separation on 1 - 3 m3

 of polluted material;

• to check possible adsorption of Hg on clay minerals and its influence on the decontamination 

efficiency;
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

17 

• to test the dewatering of treated material;

• to specify the energy consumption and total costs of decontamination;

• to design the optimal decontamination unit that could be maintained and operated effectively under 

the conditions of the local economy and infrastructure. 

The Pilot Test was funded by the Czech National Property Fund. The total cost was 0.5 M CZK (13,000 

USD). 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The decontamination unit set up for the pilot test consists of the following devices: 

steel container— excavated material was loaded into steel container where the material was blunged by 

hydromonitor— this device blunges and feeds the treated material to 

gravity storage bin— from this tank the suspended material was pumped to 

hydrocyclone— the first stage of separation - classifying into two fractions - mud and sand (in this 

fraction, the metallic mercury is concentrated and the mud is dewatered and backfilled into the excavation 

hole) 

centrifugal concentrator— the second stage of separation, the pre-concentrate is finally treated 

sedimentation basins— wastewater from hydrocyclone and centrifugal concentrator is pre-treated 

(sedimentation of mud) 

centrifuge— dewatering of mud from hydrocyclone and sedimentation basins. 

During the processing of polluted soil the important points of tested technology was sampled: 

polluted soil— this represents a problem because of the highly variable Hg concentration in the material 

(due to occurrence of Hg in drops and/or finely disseminated), analyzed concentrations vary from X00 to 

120,000 ppm in the feed (i.e., polluted soil); 

waste from hydrocyclone (mud) — determined values of Hg concentration did not exceed 10 ppm; 

pre-concentrate from hydrocyclone (sandy fraction) — due to high specific weight of Hg it is also 

complicated to collect representative samples; 

waste from centrifugal concentrator— due to high specific weight of Hg it is also complicated to collect 

representative samples— determined Hg concentration was in order X ppm; 

concentrate, i.e., separated mercury— this output was not sampled because it is represented by metallic 

mercury with admixture of sand, in frame of conducted Pilot Test about 9 ml of mercury (i.e., 

approximately 121.5 g) was separated. 

process water— determined concentration of Hg were under the detection limit (<0.003 mg/L) so during 

the decontamination process the Hg does not dissolve in processing water. 

The test for dewatering of treated soil was successful. The determined moisture in treated soil shows that 

it is possible to backfill this material into the excavation because the moisture in dewatered material is 

only about 5% higher than in natural soil. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

During the pilot test, the excavated material, feed, and outputs were sampled and analyzed for mercury 

concentration, as well as the process water. The total concentration of Hg, as well as the concentration of 

metallic, organic, and inorganic form of Hg, was analyzed. The concentration of accompanying pollutants 

was also monitored (i.e., CHCs, heavy metals). Analyses were carried out in accredited laboratories by 

relevant analytical methods. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

18 

5. RESULTS 

The conducted pilot test approved the excellent recovery efficiency of wet gravity separation of the 

mercury from polluted soil. Concentration of mercury in the feed reached values over 100,000 ppm. 

Analyzed concentration in output (i.e., treated “clean” soil) did not exceed 10 ppm (i.e., in conditions of 

The Bohemian Massif value only slightly exceeding the natural background). 

On the basis of results of the pilot test a final proposal on decontamination of mercury polluted soil was 

elaborated. Proposed treating technology is consisting of accessible technology. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Regarding the mercury’s specific physical and chemical properties and wet treating process, no 

extraordinary personal protection clothing or devices were used. 

 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Conducted pilot test had no impact on the environment. Treated (i.e., clean) soil was backfilled into the 

space of excavation. Process water was pre-treated in sedimentation basins and released to the plant’s 

sewerage system and subsequently to the wastewater treating plant. The quality of both treated soil and 

wastewater was monitored. Content of metallic mercury in treated soil was below 10 ppm. Concentration 

of Hg in wastewater was under the detection limit (<0.003 mg/L). 

8. COSTS 

The total project cost was 0.5M CZK (13,000 USD). The cost breakdown was as follows: 

Personnel cost (managing, supervision, consultant) - 49% 

Pilot Test operation (excavation, treating, dewatering, sampling) - 41% 

Laboratory cost -7% 

Transportation - 2% 

Miscellaneous - 1% 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

In the frame of the successfully conducted pilot test, the mercury contaminated soil was excavated and 

blunged, and by the means of gravity separation the mercury was recovered. Treated soil was dewatered 

by centrifuge. During the pilot test all the feed and outputs, as well as processing water, were sampled and 

analyzed. 

The pilot test approved excellent recovery efficiency of wet gravity separation of metallic mercury using 

normally accessible technology. On the basis of the results, the proposal on gravity decontamination 

technology for remediation in the area of Spolchemie was elaborated. This proposal is assessed by The 

Czech Environmental Inspectorate. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Sedláček M.: Risk Analysis Update - Pollution of Rock Environment and Groundwater by Mercury in 

the Area of Spolchemie a.s. in Ústí nad Labem. KAP, Ltd., Prague, 1998. 

2. Sedláček M.: Report on Laboratory Testing of Decontamination of Mercury Polluted Soil., KAP, 

Ltd., Prague, 1999. 

3. Sedláček M.: Report on Pilot Test on Decontamination of Mercury Polluted Soil. KAP, Ltd., Prague, 

2000. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

19 

Project No. 3 

Permeable Treatment Beds 

Location 

Former solvent blending plant, 

Essen, Germany 

Project Status 

Interim Report, 

Field Tests 

finalized 

Contaminants 

Chlorinated and nonchlorinated solvents, 

BTEX-aromates, TCE, 

PCE 

Technology Type 

Permeable reactive 

barrier as in situ 

groundwater 

remediation 

technology 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1997 

Completed 1999 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technical Contact 

Eberhard Beitinger 

WCI Umwelttechnik GmbH 

Sophie-Charlotten-Straße 33 

14059 Berlin 

Tel: +49-/(0)30-32609481 

Fax: +49-(0)30-32609472 

E-mail: exbeiti0@wcc.com 

Costs 

No, cost 

estimation 

available 

Project Size 

Full-scale 

Results Available? 

No, field test results 

available 

Project 3 was completed in 1999. The project description was updated in November 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

This on-site remedial demonstration project will be conducted at an old solvent blending plant in the 

subburben area of the city of Essen. The downstream plume of heavily contaminated groundwater will be 

treated by an innovative permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology. Advancing the full-scale project a 

field test was conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the filling material (activated carbon) and 

the performance time of a single filling. Project objectives are to learn about implementation of the wall 

structure and long-term efficiency of the fillings regarding in-situ treatability of groundwater by passing 

the barrier. 

2. BACKGROUND/SITE DESCRIPTION 

From 1952 to 1985 a chemical factory was situated on an area of about 10,000 m2 located in a city in the 

Ruhr area. Mostly solvents like hydrocarbons, volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, PAHs, petroleum, 

terpentine oil substitute, ketones, monoethyleneglycol and alcohols were handled, stored and processed. 

Today a residential building is left on the site while underground and above ground tanks are demolished. 

The ground was filled up 2,0 m over silty soil (approx. 4 to 11 m thick). Below the silt a layer of sand and 

gravel (0.8 to 7.4 m) and marly sands (7.0 to 16.3 m below the top) have been detected. The marly sands 

are the first waterproof layer. 

The First aquifer is about 1.0 to 3.2 m thick and the flow velocity is very slow. The following coefficients 

of permeability exist: 

• first aquifer: kf = 6.6 ⋅ 10-6 m/s 

• waterproof layer: kf = < 10-7 m/s 

The groundwater surfaces in the North of the site in a little source. Due to this emission the surface water 

in a small creek downstream the source is contaminated. 

The concentrations of main contaminants in groundwater are petrol hydrocarbons 23.6 mg/L to 164.0 

mg/L, volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons 27.0 mg/L and aromatic hydrocarbons 153.0 mg/L. Furthermore 

higher concentrations of manganese and iron are present. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

20 

The project is funded by the city of Essen and the state Nordrhein-Westfalen as the former owner got 

bankrupt. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

Three alternatives of permeable treatment wall types have been developed and evaluated by WCI for 

specific site conditions. Regarding construction costs, treatment efficiency and ground-water control, 

alternative 2 has been evaluated best. This alternative consists of a short treatment wall section of 35 m 

length with additional vertical barriers along the two endings of the treatment bed. So a total width of the 

plume to approximately 145 m is covered. The ground-water will be directed to the treatment section and 

contaminants will be recovered by adsorption. 

A permeable reactive barrier is a passive in-situ treatment zone of reactive material that degrades or 

immobilises contaminants as groundwater flows through it. Natural gradients transport contaminants 

through strategically placed treatment media. The media degrade, sorb, precipitate, or remove dissolved 

organics, metals, radionuclides, and other pollutants. 

WCI-Umwelttechnik GmbH, the Germany subsidiary of woodward-clyde has developed and patented a 

barrier construction system which allows the removal of used reactive material and the refill of fresh 

media without destroying or rebuilding the wall system. This design will enable potential users to operate 

the Treatment Barrier for a long period, up to several decades, without severe reduction of effectively. 

The permeable wall construction can be installed in open trenches down to 10 or more meters. The system 

includes filter layers to prevent losses of hydraulic capacity by fine soil particles, a permanent open space 

for the reactive material as well as measures to control effectiveness and to monitor the groundwater 

quality. 

In comparison with pump-and treat methods to clean groundwater contaminations, the passive permeable 

reactive barrier concept is technically sound and in most cases less expensive to install. Operation costs 

are very low and limited to monitoring due to that no pumping of groundwater is necessary. 

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

Installation of the PRB will be started in 1998 and performance evaluation will be executed in the 

following years by monitoring groundwater qualities and the remaining adsorption capacities of the filling 

material. 

The results of the field testing with two carbon filter columns was conducted successfully in the second 

half of 1997. Both columns were operated under in-situ conditions regarding groundwater quality and 

contaminant concentrations. No problems with fines or precipitating iron or manganese have been 

detected during a five-month operation period. One column was operated to actual time conditions and 

the second with a much faster scale (1 month simulating 25 years of operation). The calculated operation 

time of one filling was a minimum of 30 years. Test results showed performance times up to 5 times 

longer. Also no negative effects by biological activity such as bio-clogging could be detected during the 

field testing. 

These results will be presented to the relevant water authorities for their permission. After the permission 

process is finalised, the construction of the full-scale PRB will be started immediately. 

5. COSTS 

The costs for conducting the field tests have been DM 100.000,--. The overall costs to erect the wall 

system and the fill with activated carbon is estimated to be DM 1.500.000,--. Included are additional costs 

for monitoring the water quality for 30 years, which is a long as the minimum performance time of one 

single filling will be. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

21 

In comparison with traditional pump-and-treat groundwater remediation costs, the proposed permeable 

reactive barrier system will be at least 25 % less expensive. 

6. REFERENCE 

1. Eberhard Beitinger, and Eckart Bütow. Machbarkeitsstudie zum Einsatz einer Adsorberwand – 

„Schönebecker Schlucht“ in Essen, Internal Report, WCI, Wennigsen, 1997 (not published) 

2. Eberhard Beitinger, and Eckard Bütow. Abschlussbericht zur Durchführung von Pilotversuchen für 

eine geplante Adsorberwand - „Schönebecker Schlucht“ in Essen, Internal Report, WCI, Wennigsen, 

1998 (not published) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

22 

Project No. 4

Rehabilitation of Land Contaminated by Heavy Metals 

Location

Lavrion, Kassandra (Greece) 

Sardinia (Italy) 

Estarreja (Portugal)

Project Status

Final Report 

Contaminants

Lead, zinc, 

cadmium, arsenic, 

acidity, sulfates 

Technology Type

Alkaline 

additives 

Surface barriers 

Chemical 

fixation and 

immobilization 

Soil leaching 

Project Dates

Accepted 1997 

Final Report 2002 

Media

Mining tailings and waste rock, Pyrite 

cinders, Carbonaceous tailings, Soil 

Technical Contact

Prof. Ioannis Paspaliaris, 

Dr. Anthimos Xenidis 

National Technical University of Athens

9, Iroon Polytechneiou str. 

157 80 Zografou 

Greece 

Tel: +30/1-772-2176 

Fax: +30/1-772-2168 

Costs Documented?

Yes 

Project Size 

Laboratory, 

Demonstration-scale 

Results Available?

Yes 

Project 4 was completed in 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Polymetallic sulphide mining and processing operations result in the generation of millions of tons of 

mining, milling and metallurgical wastes, most of them characterized as hazardous. Improper 

environmental management in the past, but to some degree in current operations, has resulted in intensive 

in terms of concentration and extensive in spatial terms pollution of land and waters by heavy metals and 

toxic elements, which migrate from the wastes. The project aims at developing (a) innovative, costeffective and environmentally acceptable industrial technologies for the rehabilitation of land 

contaminated from sulphide mining and processing operations and (b) an integrated framework of 

operations that will allow for environmentally sustainable operation of the mining and processing 

industries. 

Rehabilitation technologies investigated include: 

Preventive 

• Application of alkaline additives to prevent acid generation from sulfidic wastes. 

• Formation of surface barriers with bentonite, zeolite or other additives to prevent pollutant 

• migration from the pyrite cinders and calamina residues. 

• Chemical stabilization of the heavy metals in situ in oxidic wastes and soils. 

Remedial 

• Removal of heavy metals from soils by leaching techniques. 

The status of the technologies is bench and demonstration scale. One particular technology involving the 

application of ground limestone to inhibit acid generation has been applied in full-scale for the 

rehabilitation of a 150,000 t/2,500 ha sulfidic tailings dam in Lavrion.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

23 

2. SITES 

The research is of a generic nature and the results applicable to a wide number of cases. The sites 

examined as case studies are given below: 

Site Description Material tested 

Lavrion, GR 

Redundant polymetallic sulfide mine 

(argentiferous, galena, sphalerite, pyrite) 

Sulfidic and oxidic 

tailings, soils 

Stratoni, GR 

Active polymetallic sulfide mines (galenasphalerite-pyrite) with a mining history of 

more than 2.500 years. 

Waste rock 

Montevecchio, 

Monteponi, Sardinia, IT 

Extensive Pb-Zn historic mining area. 

Currently, there is one operating and many 

redundant mines. 

Sulfidic tailings, 

calamina red mud, 

soils 

Estarreja, PT 

Chemical industrial site. Production of 

sulfuric acid by roasting of pyrites in the 

period 1952-1991. 

Pyrite cinders 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESSES-RESEARCH ACTIVITY 

3.1 Preventive Technologies to Inhibit the Spread of Pollution from the Active Sources 

Processes for the prevention of pollutant migration, which were investigated in laboratory scale and 

evaluated in field scale, include: 

A. Limestone or Fly Ash Addition to Prevent Acid Generation from Sulfidic Wastes 

The technical objective was the development of a process for the inhibition of acid generation from 

sulphidic wastes by making beneficial use of the oxidation-dissolution-neutralisation-precipitation 

reactions so as to achieve: on a microscale, precipitation of reaction products around the pyrite grains, 

inhibiting further oxidation and/or on a macroscale, formation of a hard pan that will drastically reduce 

the permeability of wastes to water and oxygen. By achieving these goals, the required limestone or other 

alkaline additive will be only a fraction of the stoichiometric requirements, therefore, the cost of 

application will be significantly lower compared to the current practice of adding near-stoichiometric 

quantities. 

An extensive laboratory kinetic testwork was carried out using limestone, a low cost and commonly found 

at mine sites alkaline material, and fly ash, a by product of Greek-lignite powered electricity plants with 

significant neutralization potential and cementitious properties. Kinetic tests using columns or humidity 

cells were carried out for a period of 270-600 days. After 270 days of operation a selected number of 

columns as well the humidity cells were dismantled and a detailed geotechnical and geochemical 

characterisation of the solid residues was performed. 

Based on the laboratory test results, field tests were constructed in Lavrion and Stratoni, for the 

remediation of sulphidic tailings and waste rock respectively, which have been running for a period of 

thirty months. 

B. Formation of Surface Barriers for the Pyrite Cinders and Calamina Residues 

The technical objective was the development of a cost-effective process for the inhibition of the toxic 

leachate generation from these wastes by modification of the top surface layer with bentonite or 

bentonite-zeolite additives. The aim was to achieve very low permeability of the surface layer in order to 

inhibit water infiltration and subsequent leaching of contaminants. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

24 

The laboratory work performed included: a) selection of the stabilising agents (bentonites and/ or zeolites 

and/ or other materials) having certain properties (proper sediment volume, swelling index, yield, filtrate 

loss and high cation exchange capacity), b) short term leaching tests to preliminarily determine 

parameters including mode of application and addition rates of the stabilizing agents and c) lysimeter 

kinetic tests. Following laboratory testing, field scale tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of 

low permeability layers including: a) a sand-bentonite mixture to cover pyrite cinders at the Estarreja site, 

and b) an alumina red mud stabilised with gypsum and calamina red mud mixture to cover calamina 

residues and Montevecchio oxidic tailings. 

C. Chemical Stabilization of Metals in Oxidic Wastes and Soils 

The technical objective was to develop a process for the in-situ immobilization of heavy metals that exist 

in toxic and bioavailable speciations by transforming them into less soluble and bioavailable species 

using calcium oxyphosphates or other low cost additives. A number of stabilizing agents including 

phosphates, alumina red mud, fly ash, peated lignite and biological sludge were tested on Lavrion and 

Montevecchio oxidic tailings and soils by conducting pot experiments. Stabilization was examined by 

chemical extraction tests and verified by actual biological tests. Chemical extraction tests included 

toxicity characterization using the EPA-TCLP test and determination of the bioavailable-phytotoxic 

fraction using a combination of EDTA, DTPA and NaHCO3 leaching tests. The biological tests involved 

plant growth tests using dwarf beans (Phaseolus vulgaris starazagorski) as plant indicator. The 

morphological parameters of the plants (root weight, leaf area, length and weight of aerial parts) were 

measured. Samples from the roots and leaves were collected for the determination of the metal 

concentrations. Based on the laboratory test results, alumina red mud stabilised with gypsum was proven 

to be a successful stabilising agent for Montevecchio soils and was tested under field conditions. On the 

other hand a mixture of phosphates and peated lignite was selected and is tested in field scale for the 

stabilization of Lavrion carbonaceous tailings and soils. 

3.2 Development of Remedial Industrial Technologies for the Clean-up of Contaminated Sites 

Remedial measures for rehabilitation of contaminated soils include removal of contaminants by either 

chemical or physical means with operations, which can be applied either in-situ or ex-situ. The technical 

objective is to develop process/processes for the removal of heavy metals from soils by leaching 

techniques. 

Leaching Methods for the Clean-up of Contaminated Soils 

The work performed comprised the following stages: a) evaluation of alternative leaching reagents, i.e. 

oxalic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, Na2H2EDTA, Na2CaEDTA and an acidic brine consisting of HClCaCl2, b) development of two integrated leaching processes based on the use of Na2CaEDTA and HClCaCl2 reagents, with the investigation of all the required treatment stages, i.e. removal of metals from the 

pregnant solution, regeneration of reagents for recycling, polishing of effluents for discharge etc., c) 

comparative evaluation of the above processes on representative soil samples from Montevecchio and 

Lavrion sites. The integrated HCl-CaCl2 and Na2CaEDTA processes were also evaluated with column 

experiments, in order to define crucial operating parameters for the application of heap leaching

techniques on Montevecchio (MSO) and Lavrion (LSO) soils. 

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

4.1 Limestone or Fly Ash Addition to Prevent Acid Generation from Sulfidic Wastes 

Mixing of the pyrite with limestone at rates corresponding to only 15% of the stoichiometric quantity was 

effective both in preventing the generation of acidic drainage and reducing the hydraulic conductivity. 

Furthermore, mixing of pyrite or Lavrion tailings with 18-20 % w/w fly ash resulted in the formation of a 

cemented layer that reduced the permeability by two orders of magnitude as compared with the control 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

25 

inhibiting the downward migration of acidic leachates. Based on the laboratory test results, field tests 

were performed in Lavrion. The field test area was divided into 4 quadrants of 100 m2

 (10 x 10 m) where 

the alkaline materials were homogeneously mixed with Lavrion tailings and applied either to the entire 

mass of tailings or only to the upper layers. Monitoring results of the field tests for a period of 30 months 

indicated that the drainage produced from the test pads involving limestone and fly ash addition to the 

upper layer of tailings was minimal (only 0.2 and 0.07% respectively of the total precipitation and 

irrigation volume). Referring to the Stratoni waste rock, the separation of the sulphide rich -4 mm size 

fraction and its placement after mixing with 14% limestone on top of the coarse was proven effective in 

preventing acid generation even under acidic conditions. Based on the laboratory results, four field test 

pads were constructed in the Stratoni site. The remediation scheme investigated involves separation of the 

fine from the coarse fraction, mixing of the fine fraction with limestone and placement of the mixture on 

top of the coarse fraction. The monitoring results obtained for a period of 30 months indicated that the 

investigated remediation scheme reduced significantly the drainage volume and improved the leachates 

quality. No water was collected from the test pad 4 consisting of successive layers of homogeneously 

mixed fine waste rock with limestone and coarse waste rock. 

4.2 Formation of Surface Barriers for the Pyrite Cinders and Calamina Residues 

Laboratory tests showed that mixing of pyrite cinders or calamina red mud with bentonite would not 

reduce drastically the hydraulic conductivity, so that to achieve the formation of a low permeability layer, 

i.e. k: ≤10-7 cm/sec. Alternative materials such as sand-bentonite mixture and alumina red mud stabilized 

with gypsum were evaluated under field scale for the rehabilitation of calamina red muds and pyrite 

cinders respectively. Monitoring results showed that covering of the pyrite cinders with a sand-10% 

bentonite layer, 30 cm thick, reduced the volume of leachates by 72%. The reduction in the cumulative 

mass of metals dissolved was 90% for iron, copper and zinc, 83% for arsenic and 75% for lead. 

Regarding the calamina red mud, field tests indicated that alumina red mud addition reduced the amount 

of leachates produced by 50% (2% as compared to 4% of the total water added on the treated test pad and 

control respectively). 

4.3 Chemical Stabilization of Metals in Oxidic Wastes and Soils 

For Lavrion oxidic tailings, phosphates, fly ash and biological sludge, added to amounts 0.9, 8 and 10 % 

w/w, were proven to be efficient stabilisers reducing Pb and Cd leachability well below the regulatory 

limits. The most successful additives for Lavrion soils were phosphates, lime, red mud and fly ash at a 

dose of 1.4, 5, 5 and 7.5% w/w respectively. Alumina red mud stabilised with 5% gypsum was proven to 

be a successful stabilizing agent for Montevecchio soils. 

Given that inorganic materials, e.g. phosphates, fly ash, lime, do not support plant growth, whereas the 

application of organic materials, e.g. biological sludge, peated lignite, has a beneficial effect on the 

production of biomass, the rehabilitation scheme currently tested under field scale involves mixtures of 

inorganic and organic materials including phosphates and peated lignite. The field test results indicated 

that treatment of soils and oxidic tailings with phosphates and peated lignite improved the leachates 

quality and plants growth and reduced metals uptake by plants. 

4.4 Leaching Methods for the Clean-up of Contaminated Soils 

The HCl-CaCl2 process was selected as the most efficient treatment option for Montevecchio soils, due to 

their low calcite content, whereas the Na2CaEDTA process was considered as the best alternative for the 

calcareous soils of Lavrion. The results indicated that it is possible to achieve a high extraction of heavy 

metals, e.g., Pb 93-95%, Zn 78-85%, Cd 71-95% etc. The contaminants are recovered in a solid residue, 

corresponding to approximately 76 kg per ton soil on a dry basis. Finally, fresh water required for the 

final washing of treated soil was estimated to be approximately 1.6m3

 per ton soil. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

26 

5. COSTS 

Available cost estimates of rehabilitation technologies examined are summarized in the following table: 

Technology Cost 

Prevention 

Rehabilitation of acid-generating sulphidic wastes using alkaline 

additives (limestone and fly ash) 2-3 € / m2

Immobilization of heavy metals in oxidic wastes and soils 22 € / m3

Remedial 

Removal of heavy metals and toxic elements from soils by 

integrated leaching techniques (Chloride process) 30 € / ton 

Removal of heavy metals and toxic elements from soils by 

integrated leaching techniques (EDTA process) 40 € / ton 

6. REFERENCES 

1. Cambridge, M. et al, 1995: "Design of a Tailing Liner and Cover to Mitigate Potential Acid Rock 

Drainage: A Geochemical Engineering Project" presented at the 1995 National Meeting of the 

American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Gillette, Wyoming. 

2. Daniel, D.E., Koerner, R.M., 1993: Cover systems in geotechnical practice for waste disposal, ed. 

D.E. Daniel, Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 455-496. 

3. Dessi R., R. Peretti, A. Xenidis, A. Zucca, I. Paspaliaris: Remediation of soil contaminated by heavy 

metals: batch and kinetic studies for Montevecchio soils, SWEMP 2002, Cagliari, Sardinia, 2002. 

4. Elliot, H.A., Brown, G.A. & Shields, G.A., Lynn, J.H., 1989. Restoration of metal-polluted soils by 

EDTA extraction. In Seventh International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, Geneva, 

vol.2, pp. 64-67. 

5. Hessling, J.L., M.P. Esposito, R.P. Traver & R.H. Snow, 1989. Results of bench-scale research 

efforts to wash contaminated soils at battery recycling facilities. In J.W. Patterson & R. Passino (eds), 

Metals Speciation, Separation and Recovery, Chelsea Lewis Publishers Inc., vol.2, pp. 497-514. 

6. Kontopoulos A., K. Komnitsas, A. Xenidis: Rehabilitation of the flotation tailings dam in Lavrion. 

Part II: Field application, Clean Technologies for the Mining Industry, M. A. Sanchez, F. Vegarra, 

S.H. Castro, ed., University of Concepcion, Chile 1996. pp. 391-400. 

7. Krishnamurthy, S., 1992: Extraction and recovery of lead species from soil. Environmental Progress, 

vol. 11, pp. 256-260. 

8. Leite, L. et al., 1989: Anomalous contents of heavy metals in soils and vegetation of a mine area in 

S.W. Sardinia, Italy. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, vol. 48, pp. 423-433. 

9. Mylona E., A. Xenidis, I. Paspaliaris: Inhibition of acid generation from sulphidic wastes by addition 

of small amounts of limestone, Minerals Engineering, 13(10/11), 2000, pp.1161-1175. 

10. Papassiopi, N., Tambouris, S., Skoufadis, C. and Kontopoulos, A., 1998: Integrated leaching 

processes for the removal of heavy metals from heavily contaminated soils, Contaminated Soil 98, 

Edinburg. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

27 

11. Peters, R.W. & L. Shem, 1992: Use of chelating agents for remediation of heavy metal contaminated 

soil. In ACS Symposium Series Environmental Remediation: 70-84. 

12. Roche, E.G., J. Doyle & C.J. Haig, 1994: Decontamination of site of a secondary zinc smelter in 

Torrance California. In IMM, Hydrometallurgy ‘94: 1035-1048. London: Chapman & Hall 

13. Royer, M.D., A. Selvakumar & R. Gaire, 1992: Control technologies for remediation of contaminated 

soil and waste deposits at superfund lead battery recycling sites. J. Air & Waste Management 

Association, pp. 970-980. 

14. Shikatani, K.S., Yanful, E.K., 1993: An Investigation for the Design of Dry Covers for Mine Wastes, 

in Proceedings of the International Symposium on Drying, Roasting, Calcining and Plant Design and 

Operation. Part II Advances in Environmental Protection for Metallurgical Industries, eds: A. J. 

Olivier, W. J. Thornburn, R. Walli, 32nd Annual Conference of Metallurgists of CIM, Quebec, Aug. 

29-Sep.2, pp. 245-258. 

15. Stouraiti C., A. Xenidis, I. Paspailiaris: Use of lignite fly ash for chemical immobilisation of oxidic 

tailings and soils contaminated with heavy metals, Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 137(1), 2002, pp. 

247-265. 

16. Theodoratos P., A. Moirou, A. Xenidis, I. Paspaliaris: The use of municipal sewage sludge for the 

stabilisation of soil contaminated by mining activities, Journal of Hazardous materials, 77(1-3), 

2000, pp.177-191. 

17. Theodoratos P., N. Papassiopi and A. Xenidis: Evaluation of phosphates for the immobilization of 

lead in heavily contaminated soils from Lavrion, accepted for publication in Journal of Hazardous 

Materials, 2002. 

18. Xenidis A., A. Moirou, P. Theodoratos, I. Paspaliaris: Design, construction and monitoring of the 

field tests for the stabilization of contaminated land, Proceedings of the Intern. Conf. on Ecological 

Protection of the Planet Earth I, Xanthi, Greece (Tsihrintzis, V.A. and P. Tsalidis eds.), 5-8 June 

2001, pp. 369-377. 

19. Xenidis A., C. Stouraiti, A. Moirou: The effectiveness of municipal sewage sludge application on the 

stabilization of Pb, Zn and Cd in a soil contaminated from mining activities, Environmental Science 

and Health, Part A-Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, 36(6), 2001, pp. 

971-986. 

20. Xenidis A., C. Stouraiti, I. Paspaliaris: “Stabilisation of oxidic tailings and solis by addition of 

calcium oxyphosphates: the case of Montevecchio site (Sardinia, Italy), Journal of Soil 

Contamination, 8(6), 1999, pp. 681-697. 

21. Xenidis A., C. Stouraiti, I. Paspaliaris: Stabilisation of highly polluted soils and tailings using 

phosphates”, in Global Symposium on Recycling, Waste Treatment and Clean Technology, REWAS 

’99, I. Gaballah, J. Hager, R. Solozabal, eds., San Sebastian, Spain, 1999, pp. 2153-2162. 

22. Xenidis A., E. Mylona, I. Paspaliaris, K. Theodoridis: Application of lignite fly ash for the 

remediation of pyrite concentrates, Proceedings of the Intern. Conf. on Ecological Protection of the 

Planet Earth I, Xanthi, Greece (Tsihrintzis, V.A. and P. Tsalidis eds.), 5-8 June 2001, pp. 357-367. 

23. Xenidis A., E. Mylona, I. Paspaliaris: Potential use of lignite fly ash for the prevention of acid 

generation from sulphidic wastes, Waste Management, 22(6), 2002, pp. 631-641. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

28 

24. Xenidis A., K. Komnitsas, S. Tabouris, A. Kontopoulos: Use of alkaline additives and a soil cover for 

prevention of acid mine drainage from sulphidic tailings, Mining Environmental Management, 8(6), 

2000, pp. 14-18. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

29 

Project No. 5 

Application of Bioscreens and Bioreactive Zones 

Location

Rademarkt (former dry cleaning site) 

Rotterdam Harbour (oil refinery site) 

Rural Area (natural gas production site) 

Akzo Nobel (chlorinated pesticides site)

Project Status

Final report 

Contaminants

Oil, BTEX, 

chlorinated solvents, 

chlorinated 

pesticides, and 

benzenes 

Technology Type

In situ

bioremediation

Project Dates

Accepted 1998 

Media

Groundwater 

Technical Contact

Herco Van Liere/Huub Rijnaarts/Sjef Staps 

TNO Institute of Environmental Sciences, 

Energy Research and Process Innovation 

Laan van Westenenk 501 

7334 DT Apeldoorn 

The Netherlands 

Tel: +31 55 5493380 

Fax: +31 55 5493410 

E-mail: H.H.M.Rijnaarts@mep.tno.nl 

S.Staps@mep.tno.nl 

Costs 

Documented?

Yes 

Project Size 

Pilot to full-scale 

Results 

Available?

Yes 

Project 5 was completed in 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Name of the technology: Biowalls/Bioscreens/Biobarrier/Treatment zones 

Status of the technology: bench, pilot to full scale; emerging and innovative 

Project objectives: To develop and demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of various 

biowall/bioscreen configurations for interception of mobile groundwater contaminants, as a more costeffective and groundwater resources saving alternative for currently used pump-and-treat approaches.

2. SITE DESCRIPTIONS 

Chlorinated solvent site. The Rademarkt Site (Groningen, The Netherlands) is contaminated with 

perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichlorethylene (TCE). It concerns an unconfined aquifer with a clay 

aquitard at a depth of 9 m. The plume is located at a depth of 6 - 9 m and 150 m long and 30 to 60 m 

wide, and has mixed redox conditions, i.e. separate reducing and oxidising zones. Transformation rates of 

especially vinylchloride as observed in the field (and in the laboratory) are too slow to prevent migration 

of this hazardous compound to areas to be protected. Source remediation and plume interception are 

therefore required. 

Oil refinery site. At this site in the Rotterdam Harbour area, it is required to manage a plume of the 

dissolved fraction of a mineral oil/gasoline contamination (80% of the compounds belong to the C6 - C12 

fraction). 

Aromatic hydrocarbon (BTEX) sites. At three sites in the north part of the Netherlands, deep anaerobic 

aquifers contaminated with Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene or Xylenes (BTEX) have been investigated. 

Under the existing sulfate-reducing conditions, the intrinsic biodegradation of toluene and ethylbenzene 

could be demonstrated in the field and in microcosm studies. Benzene was shown to be persistent. 

Managing the benzene plumes, i.e. by enhanced in-situ bioprocesses, is therefore required. 

Chlorinated pesticides site. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers are important pollutants introduced 

by the production of lindane (gamma HCH). Natural degradation of all HCH-isomers was demonstrated 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

30 

at the site of investigation. Interception of the HCH/Chlorobenzene/benzene plume is needed to protect a 

canal located at the boundary of the site. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF PROCESS 

Chlorinated solvent site. Laboratory experiments identified that a mixture of electron-donors is most 

suitable to enhance the in situ reductive dechlorination. In situ full-scale demonstration of enhanced 

anaerobic degradation in the source zone designed for complete reductive dechlorination is currently 

performed. The same technology is considered to be applied later at the head of the plume in terms of a 

treatment zone. 

Oil refinery site. Bench scale experiments have been finished and established: i) optimal grain-size and 

packing density for the porous media used in the trench, ii) optimal oxygen supply rates to sufficiently 

initiate aliphatic hydrocarbon biodegradation and to minimise clogging with iron (III) oxides. Three 

different technologies are being tested at pilot scale: two gravel filled reactive trenches with biosparging 

units and one biosparging fence, without excavation of the soil. Each pilot application has a length of 40 

m, and a depth of 4 meters. 

Aromatic hydrocarbon (BTEX) sites. Microcosms were used to investigate possibilities to stimulate 

biodegradation of benzene and TEX compounds. Especially, addition of nitrate and low amounts of 

oxygen to the anaerobic systems appears to be the appropriate way to create down-stream biostimulated 

zones. Pilot demonstration tests are currently performed. One pilot test is a biostimulated zone with 

dimensions of 10 to 10 meters. 

Chlorinated pesticide site. A bioactivated zone as an alternative to conventional large-scale pump-andtreat is currently being investigated. Laboratory process research indicated that a combination of 

anaerobic-microaerophilic in-situ stimulation in a bioactivated zone is the most feasible approach. 

Preparations are being made to incorporate the installation of the biotreatment zone in new building 

activities ate the site. 

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION

The status of most projects is that they recently have entered a pilot or a full-scale phase. First evaluations 

of technology performance are to be expected at the end of 1999. 

5. COSTS 

In a separate cost-analyses project, the costs of investment and operation of various bioscreen 

configurations (i.e. the funnel-and-gateTM, the reactive trench and the biostimulated zone configuration) is 

being evaluated for various sites. The results indicate that biotreatment zones are in most cases the 

cheapest and most flexible approach, whereas funnel-and-gateTM systems and reactive trenches have a cost 

level comparable to conventional pump-and-treat. Biotreatment zones have therefore the greatest market 

perspective, whereas funnel-and-gateTM systems and reactive trenches can be used when a high degree of 

protection is required or when these approaches can be integrated with other building activities planned at 

the site.

6. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1. Bosma, T. N. P., Van Aalst, M.A., Rijnaarts, H.H.M., Taat, J., & Bovendeur, J. (1997) Intrinsic 

dechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane at an industrial site monitoring of extensive in-situ 

biotechnological remediation. In: In Situ and On Site Bioremediation, the 4th International 

Symposium, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28-May 1. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

31 

2. Brunia, A., Van Aalst-van Leeuwen, M.A., Bosma, T.N.P., & Rijnaarts, H.H.M. (1997) Feasibility 

study on the in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvents using in situ electrochemical generation of 

hydrogen (In Dutch) Internal TNO-report. 

3. De Kreuk, H., Bosma, T.N.P., Schraa, G., & Middeldorp, P. (1998) Complete in situ biodegradation 

of perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene under anaerobic conditions. CUR-NOBIS, Gouda, The 

Netherlands, Nobis report, project no 95-2-19 

4. Gerritse, J., Alphenaar, A., & Gottschal, J.C. (1998) Ecophysiology and application of dechlorination 

anaerobes. ASCE Conference on Environmental Engineering, 6-10 June, Chicago. 

5. Gerritse, J., Borger, A., van Heiningen, E., Rijnaarts, H.H.M., Bosma, T.N.P. 1999, in press. 

Presented at the In situ and on-site Bioremediation, the fifth international symposium, San Diego, 

USA, April 19-22, 1999. 

6. Gerritse, J., Schraa, G., & Stams, F. (1999). Dechlorination by anaerobic microorganisms. 9th 

European Congress of Biotechnology (ECB9), July 11-15, Brussels. 

7. Griffioen, J., Rijnaarts, H.H.M., van Heiningen, E., Hanstveit, B., & Hiddink, H. (1998) Benzene 

degradation under strongly reducing conditions (In Dutch, with English summary) CUR-NOBIS, 

Gouda, The Netherlands. Nobis project no. 96-3-05 (in press) 

8. Koene, J. J. A., Rijnaarts, H.H.M. 1996. In-situ activated bioscreens: a feasibility study (in Dutch, 

with English summary) R 96/072. TNO-MEP. 

9. Langenhoff, A. A. M., van Liere, H.C., Harkes, M.H., Pijls, C.G.J.M., Schraa, G., Rijnaarts, H.H.M. 

1999, in press. Combined Intrinsic and Stimulated In Situ Biodegradation of Hexachlorocyclohexane 

(HCH). Presented at the In situ and on-site Bioremediation, the fifth international symposium, San 

Diego, USA, April 19-22, 1999. 

10. Nipshagen, A., Veltkamp, A. G., Beuming, G., Koster, L.W., Buijs, C.E.H.M., Griffioen, J., Kersten, 

R.H.B., & Rijnaarts, H.H.M. (1997). Anaerobic degradation of BTEX at the sites Slochteren and 

Schoonebeek 107, (In Dutch, with English abstract). CUR-NOBIS, Gouda, The Netherlands, Nobis 

report project no. 95-1-43. 

11. Rijnaarts, H. H. M. (1997). Data requirements for in-situ remediation. NICOLE-workshop "Site 

assessment & characterisation", TNO-MEP, Apeldoorn, 22-23 January. 

12. Rijnaarts, H. H. M. & Sinke, A. (1997). Development and acceptance of guidelines for safe 

application of natural attenuation. NICOLE-workshop, Compiegne/France, 17-18 April. 

13. Rijnaarts, H. H. M., Brunia, A., & Van Aalst, M.A. (1997). In-situ bioscreens. In: In situ and on-site 

bioremediation, the 4th International Symposium, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 28 - May 1. 

14. Rijnaarts, H. H. M., De Best, J.H., Van Liere, H.C., & Bosma, T.N.P. (1998) Intrinsic biodegradation 

of chlorinated solvents: from thermodynamics to field. Nobis/TNO report. CUR-NOBIS, Gouda, The 

Netherlands, NOBIS project no. 96004 

15. Rijnaarts, H. H. M., Van Aalst-van Leeuwen, M.A., Van Heiningen, E., Van Buijsen, H., Sinke, A., 

Van Liere, H.C., Harkes, M., Baartmans, R., Bosma, T.N.P., & Doddema, H.J. (1998b). Intrinsic and 

enhanced bioremediation in aquifers contaminated with chlorinated and aromatic hydrocarbons in the 

Netherlands. 6th International FZK/TNO Conference on Contaminated soil, Edinburgh, 17-21 May. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

32 

16. Rijnaarts, H.H.M. (1998) Application of biowalls/bioscreens. NATO-CCMS Pilot Project on 

Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III), annual report no. 228, EPA/542/R-98/002, p. 19 - 

20. 

17. Rijnaarts, H.H.M. (1998) Bioprocesses in treatment walls. NATO-CCMS Pilot Study on 

Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III), Special session Treatment walls and Permeable 

Reactive Barriers, report no. 229, EPA/542/R-98/003, p. 44 - 47. 

18. Schippers, B. P. A., Bosma, T.N.P., Van den Berg, J.H., Te Stroet, C.B.M., Van Liere, H.C., 

Schipper, L., & Praamstra, T.F. (1998) Intrinsic bioremediation and bioscreens at dry cleaning sites 

contaminated with chlorinated solvents. (In Dutch, with English abstract). CUR-NOBIS, Gouda, The 

Netherlands, NOBIS-report project no. 96-2-01 

19. Van Aalst-van Leeuwen, M. A., Brinkman, J., Keuning, S., Nipshagen, A.A.M., & Rijnaarts, H.H.M. 

(1997) Degradation of perchloroethene and trichloroethene under sequential redox conditions Phase 

1, partial results 2-6: Field characterisation and laboratory studies. (In Dutch, with English abstract) 

CUR-NOBIS, Gouda, The Netherlands, Nobis report project no. 95-1-41 

20. Van Eekert, M.H.A., Staps J.J.M., Monincx J.F., Rijnaarts H.H.M. (1999) Bitterfeld: Bioremediation 

of contaminated aquifers. Partial report 1 of the TNO-NOBIS participation in the SAFIRA project, 

Bitterfeld, Germany. TNO-MEP Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, Report no. TNO-MEP-R99/106, pp 43. 

21. van Heiningen, E., Nipshagen, A.A.M., Griffioen, J., Veltkamp, A.G., Rijnaarts, H.H.M. 1999, in 

press. Intrinsic and enhanced Biodegradation of Benzene in strongly reduced aquifers. Presented at 

the In situ and on-site Bioremediation, The fifth international symposium, San Diego, april 19-22, 

1999. 

22. Van Liere, H. C., Van Aalst-van Leeuwen, M.A., Pijls, C.G.J.M., Van Eekert, M.H.A., & Rijnaarts, 

H.H.M. (1998) In situ biodegradation of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH). 5th International HCH and 

Pesticides Forum IHOBE, 25-27 June 1998, LEIOA. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

33 

Project No. 6 

Rehabilitation of a Site Contaminated by PAH Using Bio-Slurry Technique 

Location 

Former railroad unloading area, 

Northern Sweden 

Project Status 

Interim 

Contaminants 

Coal tars, phenols, 

cyanides, metals, 

ammonium compounds 

Technology Type 

Ex situ 

bioremediation 

Technical Contact 

Erik Backlund 

Eko Tec AB 

Näsuddsvägen 1o 

93221 Skelleftehamn 

Sweden 

Tel: +46/910-33366 

Fax: +46/910-33375 

Project Dates 

Accepted

 1996 

Final Report

 2001 

Media 

Soil 

E-mail: 

erik.backlund@ebox.tninet.se 

Costs Documented? 

No 

Project Size 

Full-scale (3,000 tons) 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Information in this project summary is current as of May 1998. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Eko Tec AB is a Swedish environmental engineering company dealing with problems posed by hazardous 

wastes, soil, and water pollution. Main clients are the oil industry, Swedish National Oil Stockpile 

Agency, and the Swedish State Railways. 

In 1995, Eko Tec was contracted for bioslurry remediation of approximately 3,000 tons of creosotecontaminated soil and ditch sediments from a railway station area in the northern part of Sweden. A 

clean-up criterion of 50 ppm total-PAH was decided by the environmental authorities. For the specific 

PAH compounds benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(a)anthracene, a cleanup criterion of 10 ppm was decided. 

Full-scale treatment has been preceded by bench- and pilot-scale treatability studies carried out at the Eko 

Tec treatment plant in Skelleftehamn, Sweden. 

2. SITE DESCRIPTION 

Not available 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

3.1 Pretreatment 

The contaminated soil was initially treated to reduce volume. Stones and boulders were separated from 

the rest of the soil. In the next step, the soil was screened in a 10 mm sieve. Soil with a grain size less than 

10 mm was mixed with water and later pumped to wet-screening equipment, in which particles >2 mm 

were separated from the process. The remaining soil fraction (<2 mm) was pumped to a 60 m3 slurryphase bioreactor for further treatment. The volume of the treated soil fraction (<10 mm) was 

approximately 25 m3

. Samples were taken from the soil before water was added. 

3.2 Slurry-Phase Bioreactor Treatment 

Slurry-phase treatment was carried out in a 60 m3

 Biodyn reactor. During treatment, the soil/water 

mixture was continuously kept in suspension. In order to optimize the degradation rate, an enrichment 

culture containing microorganisms that feed on PAH was added to the slurry, together with nutrients and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

34 

soil activators. During the treatment phase, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentration, temperature, and pH 

were monitored continuously. 

After 27 days of treatment, the cleanup criteria were met and the slurry-phase treatment process was 

closed. The slurry was pumped to a concrete basin where the treated soil was separated from the water by 

sedimentation. The waster was stored for reuse in the text treatment batch. The treated soil will be reused 

as fill material. 

3.3 Monitoring Program 

In order to determine the initial PAH concentration, a soil sample was taken from the soil fraction <10 

mm. During the wet screening process, a soil sample was taken from the separated soil (<2 mm fraction). 

Samples were also taken from the slurry phase during treatment. Soil samples were stored by freezing, 

and then sent to the laboratory. The same accredited laboratory was used during the project period. 

4. RESULTS 

Cleanup criteria were met in 14 days. The initial PAH concentration (total PAH) was 219.9 ppm. Final 

concentration after 27 days of treatment was 26.97 ppm, which is well below the cleanup criterion of 50 

ppm. PAH compounds benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(a)anthracene were occurring in concentrations below 

the cleanup criterion of 10 ppm. 

5. COSTS 

Not yet available.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

35 

Project No. 7 

 Risk Assessment for a Diesel-Fuel Contaminated Aquifer Based on 

Mass Flow Analysis During Site Remediation 

Location

Menziken/Studen, Switzerland 

Project Status

Final 

Media

Groundwater 

Technology Type

In situ 

bioremediation 

Project Dates

Accepted 1997 

Final Report 2000 

Contaminants

Petroleum hydrocarbons (diesel fuel, 

heating oil) 

Technical Contact

Mathias Schluep 

Frohburgstrasse 184 

8057 Zurich 

Switzerland 

Tel: +41-79-540-5557 

mathias@schluep.ch 

Christoph Munz 

BMG Engineering Ltd 

Ifangstrasse 11 

8057 Schlieren 

Switzerland 

Tel: +41-1-732-9277 

Fax: +41-1-730-6622 

E-mail: christoph.munz@bmgeng.ch 

Josef Zeyer 

Soil Biology 

Inst. of Terrestrial Ecology ETHZ 

Grabenstrasse 3 

8952 Schlieren 

Switzerland 

Tel: +41-1-633-6044 

Fax: +41-1-633-1122 

E-mail: zeyer@ito.umw.ethz.ch 

Costs Documented?

No 

Project Size Results Available?

Yes 

Project 7 was completed in 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The studies were aimed to give a scientific basis for an evaluation procedure, allowing us to predict the 

treatability of a petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contaminated site with in situ bioremediation technologies 

[1]. This includes the description of the risk development with time and the quantification of the 

remediation efficiency by identifying critical mass flows. The focus of the project was set on the 

modeling of movement and fate of compounds typically found in non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) 

such as PHCs in the subsurface. 

2. SITE DESCRIPTION 

At the Menziken site [2] the contaminated aquifer was remediated based on the stimulation of indigenous 

microbial populations by supplying oxidants and nutrients (biorestoration). Detailed investigations were 

made from 1988 until 1995. The engineered in situ bioremediation took place from 1991 - 1995. 

At the Studen site [3] no engineered remedial actions were taken. The investigations started in 1993 and 

led to a better understanding of the biological processes occurring in the aquifer. It could be shown that 

intrinsic bioremediation is a major process in the removal of PHC at this site. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

36 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH ACTIVITY 

PHC contain benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons 

(PAH), which are regulated hazardous compounds. These substances potentially dissolve into 

groundwater in relevant concentrations at petroleum release sites, posing risks to drinking water supplies. 

Understanding this process is important, because it provides the basis to perform initial remedial actions 

and plan a long term remedial strategy for contaminated sites. Fortunately the dissolved BTEX and PAH 

compounds are degradable under various conditions in aquifers. The biodegradation process leads to a 

reduction of total mass of PHCs. Therefore the evaluation of the effectiveness of the biodegradation 

processes is another key step in applying in situ remediation techniques to reduce risks. These processes 

were studied in a laboratory system consisting of the following sequence (Figure1): dissolution of PHCs 

into the aqueous phase (section A), anaerobic (section B) and aerobic biodegradation (section C) of the 

dissolved compounds. 

Figure 1: Experimental setup of the laboratory study on dissolution of diesel fuel compounds into sterile 

groundwater (section A) and biodegradation in two laboratory aquifer columns under denitrifying (section 

B) and aerobic (section C) conditions 

section A section B section C

flowthrough

reactor denitrifying column aerobic column

diesel fuel sand sand

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

4.1 Dissolution of NAPL Compounds in a Batch System 

The purpose of the first study was to develop a modeling approach for the quantification of mechanisms 

affecting the dissolution of NAPLs in the aqueous phase using the slow stirring method (SSM) and thus to 

provide a tool for the interpretation of experimental data regarding the interaction between NAPLs and 

water [4]. Generally, mass transfer from the NAPL to the aqueous phase increases with the stirring rate. 

This can be interpreted as a decrease of the thickness of the aqueous stagnant layer at the water/NAPL 

interface across which diffusion occurs. Therefore, the time to reach saturation depends on the mechanical 

agitation and the aqueous diffusion coefficient of the chemical. This is only true as long as transport 

within the NAPL does not control the overall mass transfer of the different NAPL components. It is 

known that NAPL viscosity can influence the dissolution kinetics of PAHs. The phenomenon was 

attributed to transport limitation within the NAPL of constituents with high viscosity. Thus, the existence 

of a depletion zone in the NAPL phase (which in the SSM is not directly stirred) was postulated. 

An analytical model was developed to provide a qualitative understanding for the different processes that 

determine the temporal evolution of the combined NAPL/aqueous phase system. For situations were the 

employed quantitative approximations are no longer valid a short recipe how the equations can be solved 

numerically and without restrictions regarding the relative size of certain terms was presented. The 

theoretical framework was validated with experimental data. The experiment was performed by running 

section A of the laboratory setup (Figure 8) in batch mode. 

With focus on the applicability of the preparation of water soluble fractions in slow stirring batch system 

the results can be summarized as follows: Once equilibrium is reached in the system a fraction of a 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

37 

compound will be transferred from the NAPL phase into the aqueous phase leading to a lower 

concentration in the NAPL phase. Equilibrium concentrations in the aqueous phase therefore will be 

lower compared to calculations based on initial concentrations in the NAPL phase. This effect is only 

relevant for relatively soluble substances like benzene and in the presence of small NAPL volumes and is 

independent of the NAPLs viscosity. The relative diffusivities of the NAPL compounds govern the 

dissolution kinetics in terms of mass transfer limitations within the NAPL phase. Thus, in low viscosity 

NAPLs, the depletion process is controlled by diffusion within the NAPL layer of relatively soluble 

substances like benzene, whereas in high viscosity NAPLs, even the dissolution of relatively insoluble 

substances like Naphthalene may be diffusion-limited. With the theoretical framework presented the 

mechanisms affecting the dissolution of NAPLs into the aqueous phase in slow stirring batch systems can 

be quantified. The models allow us to predict the errors in equilibrium concentrations and the time frame 

to reach saturation. 

4.2 Dissolution of NAPL Compounds in a Flow Through System 

The objective of the second study was twofold: First the dynamic changes of NAPL-water equilibria as 

the soluble compounds deplete from a complex NAPL mixture was studied. Second an easy to use model 

based on Raoult’s law to predict such dissolution patterns with respect to time varying NAPL mass and 

composition was developed [5]. 

The experimental setup consisted of a flow through vessel containing deionized water and diesel fuel. The 

resulting concentrations in the water were measured in the effluent of the vessel. The results were 

compared with the calculated aqueous concentrations based on Raoult's law for supercooled liquid 

solubilities. The model considers the dynamic changes of the diesel fuel / water equilibrium due to 

continuous depletion of the soluble compounds from diesel fuel. 

It could be shown that Raoult's law is valid during dynamic dissolution of aromatic compounds from 

complex NAPL mixtures (e.g., diesel fuel) in non-disperse liquid/liquid systems (in this case the SSM). 

This is true as long as a significant depletion of substances is observable. At low concentrations in the 

NAPL phase non-equilibrium effects probably play a major role in the dissolution behavior, resulting in 

underestimation of the aqueous concentration. However deviations at these concentration levels are not 

important from a risk point of view. The quality of predictions was improved by considering time varying 

NAPL mass. Although the model could be confirmed in an idealized laboratory system, it can not be 

applied to complex field situations with the same accuracy. However this study provides a simple method 

to assess contaminated sites on an "initial action" basis and supports the planning of long term remedial 

strategies at such sites. 

4.3 Biodegradation of Dissolved NAPL Compounds 

The effluent of the flow through vessel was fed into two columns filled with quartz sand which were 

operated in series [6]. The first column was operated under enhanced denitrifying conditions whereas the 

second column was operated under aerobic conditions (Figure1, section B and C). The two columns 

represent two degradation zones downstream of a contamination plume under different redox conditions 

as it is commonly found in contaminated aquifers. As an example of the measured BTEX and PAH 

compounds observed benzene and ethylbenzene concentration curves in the effluent of the flow through 

reactor (section A), the denitrifying column (section B) and the aerobic column (section C) respectively 

are drawn in Figure 2. Degradation under denitrifying conditions only occurred in the case of 

ethylbenzene, whereas benzene seems to be persistent to denitrification. The slight decrease of benzene 

concentrations in the effluent of the denitrifying column is attributed to small amounts of oxygen intruded 

into the system at the beginning of the experiment. Under aerobic conditions benzene and ethylbenzene 

were rapidly degraded. Based on these results a mass balance was performed for each compound as well 

as for the total amount of diesel constituents after each section of the experimental setup (Figure1) and 

compared with the depletion of the electron acceptor. Results indicate that the fate of toxicologically 

relevant compounds is predictable by measuring inorganic compounds. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

38 

The development of risk with time was calculated after each section of the experiment (Figure1) using the 

corresponding concentrations of the relevant compounds as well as their toxicological properties. The 

non-carcinogenic risk (Figure3) as well as the carcinogenic risk (data not shown) is dominated by 

benzene, which is depleted from the NAPL rapidly. Since benzene is not readily degraded under 

anaerobic conditions the risk is not significantly reduced under these conditions. However, after the 

introduction of oxygen as it occurs in the field due to groundwater mixing, the risk is instantly reduced to 

acceptable levels. 

Figure 2: Benzene and ethylbenzene concentration 

curves in the effluent of the flow through reactor 

(section A), the denitrifying column (section B) and 

the aerobic column (section C) respectively of the 

continuous flow-through experiment. 

Figure 3: Development of the toxicological risk 

(hazard index) after the dissolution of single 

compounds from diesel fuel into the aqueous 

phase and after anaerobic and aerobic degradation 

respectively. The hazard index was calculated as 

the additive risk of the single BTEX and PAH 

compounds. 

4.4 Correlation with Field Data 

Results from the laboratory studies including the mathematical models finally were applied at the field 

sites in Studen and Menziken in order to perform a risk assessment [7-9]. Several assumptions to simplify 

the complex field situation and to acquire unknown parameters had to be made. This lead to the following 

findings: 

Using the composition data of diesel fuel or heating oil, the maximal concentrations of toxicologically 

relevant compounds expected in the groundwater can be predicted (worst case scenario). 

The efficiency of in situ bioremediation techniques can be assessed. With a mass balance calculation of 

the inorganic species (oxygen, nitrate, etc.) measured in the Studen groundwater it could be determined 

that about 200 kg of PHC were biodegraded within the time frame of 5 years. Comparing this result with 

a theoretical calculation based on the mathematical dissolution model it could be shown that the removal 

of 200 kg PHC through the dissolution process alone would take about 50 years. This indicates that 

biological processes enhance the depletion of PHC, and hence shorten the time for PHC removal from the 

subsurface. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

39 

Based on mass flows the duration of a site-remediation can be estimated at the level of single compounds. 

Modeling the dissolution and biodegradation processes of the heating oil spill in Studen, we can predict 

that aqueous benzene concentrations drop below detection limit and therefore is expected to be depleted 

from the NAPL phase after 3 years, ethylbenzene after 30 years, and naphthalene after 130 years. These 

results correlate well with concentrations measured in groundwater samples of the five years old spill. 

The impact of the remediation process on the risk development can be predicted. The risk in Studen and 

Menziken was calculated to have been above acceptable levels during the first two years after the spill 

happened. As soon as the more soluble compounds such as benzene are dissolved completely the risk 

drops below unacceptable levels. At “older” hazardous sites involving diesel fuel or heating oil spills, the 

risk therefore may be already significantly reduced. 

5. CONCLUSIONS 

The remediation of PHC contaminated sites usually occurs naturally without engineered remediation 

activities mainly through the biodegradation of compounds dissolved in the groundwater. Since every site 

has its own geochemical and biological characteristic the decision whether additional actions have to be 

taken in order to reduce risks for human and the environment has to be made on a site-by-site basis. Using 

simple tools such as mass balances and distribution models the applicability and efficiency of in situ 

bioremediation technologies at PHC spill sites can be assessed.

6. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1. Schluep M. 2000. Dissolution, biodegradation and risk in a diesel fuel contaminated aquifer — 

modeling and laboratory studies. Dissertation No. 13713, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, 

Zurich, Switzerland. 

2. Hunkeler D, Hoehener P, Bernasconi S, Zeyer J. 1999. Engineered in situ bioremediation of a 

petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated aquifer: Assessment of mineralization based on alkalinity, 

inorganic carbon and stable isotope balances. J Contam Hydrol 37:201-223. 

3. Bolliger C, Hoehener P, Hunkeler D, Haeberli K, Zeyer J. 1999. Intrinsic bioremediation of a 

petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated aquifer and assessment of mineralization based on stable carbon 

isotopes. Biodegradation 10:201-217. 

4. Schluep M, Imboden DM, Gaelli R, Zeyer J. 2000. Mechanisms affecting the dissolution of nonaqueous phase liquids into the aqueous phase in slow stirring batch systems. Environ Tox Chem, 

20(3). 

5. Schluep M, Gaelli R, Imboden DM, Zeyer J. 2000. Dynamic equilibrium dissolution of complex nonaqueous phase liquid mixtures into the aqueous phase, in preparation. 

6. Schluep M, Häner A, Gälli R, Zeyer J. 2000. Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated 

aquifers: laboratory studies to assess risk development, in preparation. 

7. Kreikenbaum S, Scerpella D. 1999. Risikobewertung eines Heizoelschadenfalls. Diplomarbeit 

Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. 

8. Schluep M, Gälli G, Munz C. 1999. Mineralölschadenfälle - wie weiter. TerraTech 6:45-48 

9. Wyrsch B, Zulauf C. 1998. Risikobewertung eines mit Dieselöl kontaminierten Standortes. 

Diplomarbeit Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule ETH, Zurich, Switzerland. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

40 

Project No. 8 

Obstruction of Expansion of a Heavy Metal/Radionuclide Plume Around a 

Contaminated Site by Means of Natural Barriers Composed of Sorbent Layers

Location 

Istanbul University 

Project Status 

Interim Report 

Contaminants 

Heavy metals (Pb, Cu, 

Cd) and radionuclides 

(137Cs, 90Sr, 238U), 

textile dyes 

Technology Type 

In situ adsorption 

and stabilization/ 

solidification 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1998 

Final Report 1999 

Media 

Soil and groundwater (unconventional sorbents 

e.g., red muds and fly ashes, simulate hydrous 

oxide-like soil minerals; kaolinite and feldspar 

represent clay minerals) 

Technical Contact 

Resat Apak 

Istanbul University 

Avcilar Campus, Avcilar 

34850 Istanbul, Turkey 

Tel: 90/212-591-1996 

Fax: 90/212-591-1997 

E-mail: rapak@istanbul.edu.tr 

Costs Documented? 

No 

Project Size 

Bench-scale 

Results Available? 

Partly 

Project 8 was completed in 1999. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

When a spill or leakage of a heavy metal/radionuclide contaminant occurs, in situ soil and groundwater 

technologies are generally preferred to cope with the contaminants and to prevent their dispersion outside 

the site. Barrier wall technologies employ immediate action that restricts the expansion of the 

contaminant plume. Thus, this project involves a laboratory-scale investigation of the use of metallurgical 

solid wastes and clay minerals as barrier materials to adsorb toxic heavy metals and radionuclides from 

water (a fixation or stabilization process) followed by solidification of the metal-loaded mass in a cementbased block totally resistant to atmospheric weathering and leaching conditions. 

2. BACKGROUND 

Metals account for much of the contamination found at hazardous waste sites. They are present in the soil 

and groundwater (at approximately 65% of U.S. Superfund sites) coming from various metal processing 

industrial effluents. Turkey also has metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, U, etc.) contaminated sites due to effluents 

predominantly from battery, electroplating, metal finishing, and leather tanning industries, and mining 

operations. 

Cesium-137 and strontium-90, with half-lives of 30 and 28 years, respectively, pose significant threats to 

the environment as a result of fallout mainly from power plant accidents. In Turkey, 137Cs became a 

matter of public concern after the Chernobyl accident, especially contaminating the tea plant harvested in 

the Black Sea Coast of the country. On the other hand, milk products and other biological materials 

containing Ca were extensively investigated for possible 90Sr contamination. Land burial of low-level 

radioactive wastes also poses a contamination risk to groundwater. 

Physical/chemical treatment processes specific to metals/radionuclides include chemical precipitation, ion 

exchange, electrokinetic technologies, soil washing, sludge leaching, membrane processes, and common 

adsorption. When adsorption is employed, there is an increasing trend toward substitution of pure 

adsorbents (e.g., activated carbon, alumina, and other hydrated oxides) with natural by-products, soil 

minerals or stabilized solid waste materials (e.g., bauxite waste red muds and fly ashes). These substances 

also serve as barrier material for passive wall technologies utilized around a heavy metal spill site or 

shallow-land burial facility of low-level radioactive wastes. Once these contaminants are stabilized within 

barrier walls, it is also desirable to fix them in an environmentally safe form by performing in situ 

stabilization/solidification by way of adding cement—and pozzolans if necessary—to obtain a durable 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

41 

concrete mass. The host matrix for metals and radionuclides, i.e., red muds, fly ashes, and clay minerals, 

may serve as inexpensive pozzolanic binders to be used along with cement for solidification. 

 

The aim of this Pilot Study project is to develop unconventional cost-effective sorbents for basically 

irreversible fixation of heavy metals/radionuclides; these sorbents should show high capacities and fast 

retention kinetics for the so-called contaminants. The determination of conditions affecting 

stabilization/solidification of the loaded sorbents by adding pozzolans and cement is also aimed. 

Durability and leachability of the final concrete blocks have to be tested. Modeling of sorption of heavy 

metals/radionuclides onto the tested materials has to be made in order to extend the gained knowledge to 

unforeseen cases. Finally a reasonable unification of in situ physical/chemical treatment technologies 

applicable to a spill/leakage site will be accomplished. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The effect of various parameters (sorbent grain size, pH, time of contact, contaminant concentration, 

metal speciation, etc.) affecting the adsorption/desorption behavior of the selected heavy metals onto/from 

the sorbents has been investigated. The sorption capacity (batchwise and dynamic column capacities) and 

leachability of the sorbents in terms of heavy metals/radionuclides have been estimated by the aid of 

batch contact, column elution and standard leaching (simulating groundwater conditions) tests. Possible 

interferents (e.g., inert electrolytes as neutral salts) have been incorporated in the synthetic contaminant 

solutions so as to observe any incomplete adsorption or migration of contaminants that may occur under 

actual field conditions. The sorption data have been analyzed and fitted to linearized adsorption 

isotherms. New mathematical models have been developed to interpret equilibrium adsorption data with 

simple polynomial equations. 

Red muds and fly ashes, after being loaded to saturation with Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II), were solidified to 

concrete blocks that should not pose a risk to the environment. The setting and hardening characteristics 

of mortars, as well as the flexural and mechanical strengths of the solidified specimens, were optimized 

with respect to the dosage of natural and metal-loaded solid wastes. Extended metal leaching tests were 

carried out on the solidified samples. 

These treatment steps actually serve the perspective of unification of seemingly separate 

physical/chemical technologies for the removal of heavy metals/radionuclides in environmentally safe 

forms. The developed barrier materials in a way resemble iron hydroxides and oxyhydroxides that are 

currently developed from low-cost iron waste streams by DuPont (Hapka, 1995). In the meantime, 

although not directly fitting with the project title, the usage of iron fillings as potential barrier material has 

been tested for the management of textile dyeing wastes, e.g., as a restricting agent for an uncontrolled 

expanding plume from a permeable storage lagoon or pond where textile wastes are collected. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

The metallurgical solid wastes used as sorbents were supplied from Turkish aluminium and thermal (coalfired) power plants, and characterized by both wet chemical and X-ray (diffraction and fluorescence) 

analysis. They were subjected to chemical treatment (water and acid washing) for stabilization, and 

classified with respect to size when necessary. Their surface areas were determined by BET/N2 surface 

area analysis, and their surface acidity constants (pKa) by potentiometric titration. 

After equilibrating the sorbents with the metal solutions, all metal determinations in the centrifugates 

were made with flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using a Varian SpectrAA FS-220 

instrument. The beta activities of the Cs-137 and Sr-90 radioisotope containing centrifugates were 

counted by an ERD Mullard Geiger Muller tube type MX 123 system with halogen extinction. The batch 

and dynamic adsorption and desorption tests were carried out in thermostatic shakers and standard Pyrex 

glass columns, respectively. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

42 

A mortar-mixing mechanical apparatus, ASTM Vicat apparatus, steel specimen moulds (4x4x16 cm3), 

tamping-vibrating apparatus, and testing equipment for flexural and compressive strength tests were used 

for following the solidification process and the mechanical strength of the final concrete blocks. 

The textile dyes used for modeling textile wastes were analyzed by UV/visible spectrophotometry. 

The adsorption isotherms conforming to Langmuir, Freundlich, B.E.T. and Frumkin isotherm equations 

were evaluated by linear regression and non-linear curve fitting of experimental data. 

5. RESULTS 

The distribution coefficients of metals (as log KD) between the solid (red mud, fly ash, etc.) and solution 

phases varied between 1-3 and showed a gradual decrease with increasing equilibrium concentration of 

the metal remaining in solution. 

The Langmuir saturation capacities of the sorbents (in the units of mg metal per g sorbent as red mud-fly 

ash, in this order) for the metals averaged at approximately 50-200 mg Cd.g−1, 40-100 mg Cu.g−1, and 

100-350 mg Pb.g−1. 

The adsorption isotherms were somewhat S-shaped B.E.T. type isotherms showing layered sorption at the 

natural pH of equilibration, but saturation of the sorbent was attained at a definite concentration enabling 

an approximated Langmuir evaluation of equilibrium data in operational sense. 

The order of hydrolysable divalent metal cation retention on the selected sorbents was as follows in terms 

of molar saturation capacities: Cu > Pb > Cd for fly ashes and Cu > Cd > Pb for red muds. The degree of 

insolubility of the metal hydroxides approximately followed the same order. The simulation of CO2-

injected groundwater conditions were achieved by saturated aqueous CO2 (pH 4.8) and carbonic 

acid/bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.0) solutions. The heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd) retained on the sorbents were 

not leached out by these carbonated leachant solutions. 

Heavy metal adsorption onto red muds, either as free metal ion or in chelated metal-EDTA forms, has 

been effectively modeled for (M+M-EDTA) mixtures. The adsorption data could be theoretically 

generated by using simple quadratic equations in terms of covalently- and ionically- adsorbed metal 

concentrations in the sorbent phase, once the total metal concentration prior to equilibration and final 

solution pH were known. 

As for solidification of the metal-loaded solid wastes, when these loaded wastes were added up to 20% by 

mass to Portland cement-based formulations, the fixed metals did not leach out from the solidified 

concrete blocks over extended periods, with the exception of Cu(II), which reached a concentration of 0.4 

ppm after 8 months in a water leachate of pH 8-9. 2% setting accelerator Ca3(PO4)

2-added improved 

formulations could bear only 10% of lead-loaded fly ash, while this tolerance could be raised to 20% fly 

ash by incorporating (3% Ca3(PO4)2+1% CaCl2) mixed additive. 

The studied radionuclides did not show a significant temperature dependency in adsorption. Especially 

radiostrontium retention increased with pH. These observations are in accord with ion exchange 

mechanism of sorption. Radiocesium adsorption is maximal around neutral pH, which is specific for most 

natural waters. 

Of the textile dyes tested, acid blue and acid yellow showed 75-90% and 60-80% removal, respectively, 

when passed through a granular iron bed at an initial concentration of 10-100 ppm dye containing 0.10 M 

HCl in solution. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

43 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

The primary components of the unconventional sorbent suspensions, i.e., red muds and fly ashes 

containing Fe2O3, Al2O3, SiO2, TiO2, and some aluminosilicates, to be used as barrier material are 

essentially non-toxic. The tested heavy metals, either as free ions or in chelated forms, i.e., Cd2+

, Pb2+

(and partly Cu2+

) and Cd-EDTA2−, Pb-EDTA2−, Cu-EDTA2−, were toxic, so care should be exercised 

especially in solidification/ stabilization processes using the heavy metal-loaded sorbents in dry form, 

where small particles could be inhaled by workers. Also working with radionuclide solutions, even in 

very dilute forms, needs special pipettes and glassware to be used under a hood on a stainless steel 

workbench, and special laboratory practice with workers wearing radiation dosimeters. All waste 

solutions, even at very low-level activity, should be properly collected and submitted to the nuclear 

energy authority for waste storage and stabilization. 

 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Prior acid or water leaching of the sorbents before adsorption experiments did not effectively increase the 

specific surface area or chemical adsorption power of these sorbents, but rather these sorbents were 

stabilized so as not to leach out any micropollutants to water at the time of heavy metal adsorption. It is 

also indicated in literature that iron oxyhydroxide based grouts as barrier material can be made from low 

cost industrial by-products, which should be tested for safety and effectiveness on a case-by-case basis 

(Hapka et al., 1995). Thus these criteria should be judged for red muds and fly ashes. 

Stabilization/solidification of the metal-loaded solid wastes puts these wastes and incorporated toxic 

metals into environmentally safe (mechanically strong, durable and unleachable) forms. The matrix 

disrupting effect of Pb was eliminated by using relatively small amounts of sodium aluminate or calcium 

phosphate to improve the setting, hardening and mechanical properties of the final concrete blocks. It was 

environmentally safe to observe that the matrix-held metals (either as a result of irreversible adsorption or 

solidification) did not leach out by carbonate or carbonic acid solutions ensuring the chemical stability of 

these solid wastes under changing groundwater conditions. 

8. COSTS 

Because iron-based grouts (without relatively expensive additives such as citric acid, urea, and urease) 

can be prepared from inexpensive by-products, the primary costs involved come from transportation and 

additives (Jet grouted, 25% grout) roughly around 50 USD per m2

 for 1m thick wall, i.e., or 50 USD for 1 

cubic meter. The overall cost data have not yet been obtained. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

In investigation of the possibility of usage of metallurgical solid wastes as cost-effective sorbents in 

heavy metal (Pb, Cu, Cd) and radionuclide (Cs-137 and Sr-90) removal from contaminated water, red 

muds and especially fly ashes have been shown to exhibit a high capacity. Extensive modeling of heavy 

metal sorption—either as free metal ions or in the form of EDTA-chelates—has been performed by 

simple quadratic equations in terms of the retained metal concentration in the sorbent phase. These 

modeling efforts enable the prediction of heavy metal adsorption in different media over a wide pH and 

concentration range. The developed iron- and aluminum-oxide based sorbents may be used as barrier 

material as cost-effective grout for the prevention of expansion of a heavy metal contaminant plume. 

Heavy metal-loaded solid wastes have been effectively solidified by adding cement, sand, and water. The 

setting and mechanical properties of concrete specimens obtained by optimal dosage of waste addition 

were satisfactory. The fixed heavy metals did not leach out appreciably into water over extended periods. 

The usage of iron fillings as potential barrier material has been successfully tested for the management of 

textile dyeing wastes, i.e., acid blue and acid yellow. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

44 

A unified passive technological process for the in situ sorption of heavy metals, radionuclides, and textile 

wastes using iron oxide-, alumina- and silica-based metallurgical solid wastes functioning as barrier 

material in conjunction with granular metallic iron is on the way of development. The presumed process 

is planned to be finished with in situ stabilization/solidification. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. S. Arayici, R. Apak and V. Apak, “Equilibrium modeling of pH in environmental treatment 

processes,” J. Environ. Sci. and Health, Pt. A-Environ. Sci. and Eng., 31 (1996) 1127-1134. 

2. R. Apak, G. Atun, K. Güçlü, E. Tütem and G. Keskin, “Sorptive removal of cesium-137 and 

strontium-90 from water by unconventional sorbents. I. Usage of bauxite wastes (red muds),” J. Nucl. 

Sci. Technol., 32 (1995) 1008-1017. 

3. R. Apak, G. Atun, K. Güçlü and E. Tütem, “Sorptive removal of cesium-137 and strontium-90 from 

water by unconventional sorbents. II. Usage of coal fly ash,” J. Nucl. Sci. Technol., 33 (1996) 396-

402. 

4. F. Kilinçkale, S. Ayhan and R. Apak, “Solidification-stabilization of heavy metal-loaded red muds 

and fly ashes,” J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol., 69 (1997) 240-246. 

5. R. Apak, E. Tütem, M. Hügül and J. Hizal, “Heavy metal cation adsorption onto unconventional 

sorbents (red muds and fly ashes),” Water Research, 32 (1998) 430-440. 

6. R. Apak, “Heavy metal and pesticide removal from contaminated groundwater by the use of 

metallurgical waste sorbents,” NATO/CCMS International Meeting, 18-22 November 1991, 

Washington, DC, USA. 

7. R. Apak, “Uranium (VI) adsorption by soil in relation to speciation,” Mediterranean Conference on 

Environmental Geotechnology, 24-27 May 1992, Çesme, Turkey. 

8. E. Tütem and R. Apak, “The role of metal-ligand complexation equilibria in the retention and 

mobilization of heavy metals in soil,” Contaminated Soil’95 Proceeding of the Fifth International 

FZK/TNO Conference on Contaminated Soil, 30 Oct.-3 Nov. 1995, Maastricht, Netherlands, W. J. 

van den Brink, R. Bosman and F. Arendt (eds.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Vol. I, 425-426. 

9. R. Apak, “Sorption/solidification of selected heavy metals and radionuclides from water,” 

NATO/CCMS Pilot Study International Meeting on ‘Evaluation of Emerging and Demonstrated 

Technologies for the Treatment of Contaminated Land and Groundwater’, 17-21 March 1997, Golden 

Colorado, USA. 

10. K. Güçlü, unpublished Ph.D. thesis (Supervisor: R. Apak), “Investigation and modeling of heavy 

metal adsorption dependent upon pH and complexing agents,” Department of Chemistry, Faculty of 

Engineering, Istanbul University, 1999, Istanbul. 

11. M. Hapka, J. S. Thompson and J. M. Whang, “Method for precipitating a solid phase of metal,” 1995, 

provisional patent application. 

12. R. R. Rumer and J. K. Mitchell, “Assessment of barrier containment technologies,” International 

Containment Technology Workshop, 29-31 Aug. 1995, Baltimore, Maryland: Proceedings, pp. 221-

223. 

13. K. Güçlü and R. Apak, “Investigation of adsorption of free- and bound- EDTA onto red muds for 

modeling the uptake of metal-organic complexes by hydrated oxides,” 19th International Meeting on 

Organic Geochemistry, 6-10 Sept. 1999, Istanbul (accepted as presentation). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

45 

Project No. 9 

Solidification/ Stabilization of Hazardous Wastes 

Location 

Middle East Technical 

University, Ankara, Turkey 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Contaminants 

PCBs, AOX 

(adsorbable 

organic halides), 

heavy metals 

Technology Type 

Solidification/ 

Stabilization 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1998 

Final Report 2001 

Media 

Soil, mining waste and wastewater and 

sludge from pulp and paper industry 

Technical Contact 

 Kahraman Ünlü 

Middle East Technical 

University 

Environmental Engineering 

Dept. 

06531 Ankara 

Turkey 

Tel: 90-312-210-5869 

Fax: 90-312-210-1260 

E-mail: kunlu@metu.edu.tr

Costs Documented? 

No 

Project Size 

Bench Scale 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 9 was completed in 2001. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Solidification and stabilization are treatment processes designed to either improve waste handling and 

physical characteristics, decrease surface area across which pollutants can transfer or leach, or limit the 

solubility or to detoxify the hazardous constituents (EPA, 1982). They also refer to techniques that 

attempt to prevent migration of contaminated material into the environment by forming a solid mass. 

Although solidification and stabilization are two terms used together, they have different meanings. 

Solidification refers to techniques that encapsulate the waste in a monolithic solid of integrity. The 

encapsulation may be of fine waste particles (microencapsulation) or of a large block or container of 

wastes (macroencapsulation). Solidification does not necessarily involve a chemical interaction between 

the wastes and the solidifying reagents, but may mechanically bind the waste into the monolith. 

Contaminant migration is restricted by vastly decreasing the surface area exposed to leaching and/or by 

isolating the wastes within an impervious capsule. Stabilization refers to techniques that reduce the hazard 

potential of a waste by converting the contaminants into their least soluble, mobile, or toxic form. The 

physical nature and handling characteristics of the waste are not necessarily changed by stabilization 

(Conner and Hoeffner, 1998).In practice, many commercial systems and applications involve a 

combination of stabilization and solidification processes. Solidification follows stabilization to reduce 

exposure of the stabilized material to the environment through, for example, formation of a monolithic 

mass of low permeability (Smith, 1998). This project focuses on investigating the effectiveness of 

solidification/stabilization (S/S) technology by conducting bench scale treatability tests with contaminated 

soils and various types of hazardous waste materials. The major objectives of the project are (i) to 

investigate the effectiveness and reliability of the S/S technology for the safe disposal of hazardous 

wastes containing metal and organic contaminants, and (ii) to determine the appropriate technical criteria 

for applications based on the type and composition of hazardous wastes 

2. BACKGROUND 

With the enforcement of the Hazardous Wastes Control Regulation in August 1995, the direct or indirect 

release of hazardous wastes into the receiving environment in such a manner that can be harmful to 

human health and the environment is banned in Turkey. The main purpose of the regulation is to provide 

a legal and technical framework for the management of hazardous wastes throughout the nation. In this 

regard, the regulation is applicable not only to hazardous wastes to be generated in the future, but also 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

46 

concerns with the existing hazardous wastes and their safe disposal in compliance with the current 

regulation. The S/S technology is recognized by the Turkish Hazardous Wastes Control Regulation

(THWCR) as a promising new emerging technology for the safe disposal of hazardous wastes. This 

recognition by the regulation plays a major role for the initiation of this project. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The following technical criteria is considered for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the S/S technology 

for the safe disposal of hazardous wastes containing metal and organic contaminants: (i) determining the 

mobility of contaminants in the waste via conducting leaching and permeability tests on 

solidified/stabilized samples; and (ii) determining the strength of solidified samples against deformation 

and deterioration via conducting unconfined compressive strength tests on solidified samples. 

In this study, for metals a residue material from gold mining, for organics PCB contaminated soil and 

AOX containing sludge and wastewater from pulp and paper industry were used. Although mining waste 

has relatively high heavy metal content, use of mining waste with very high metal content was considered 

to serve better for the purpose of assessing the performance of S/S technology. Concentrated mining 

waste was obtained by the addition of heavy metal salts of chromium nitrate, cadmium nitrate, lead 

nitrate, copper sulfate and zinc sulfate. Water content of wastewater sludge was initially very high; thus it 

was dried in an oven at 60o

C to remove water and then ground into powder before S/S process. Initial 

analysis of the PCB-contaminated soil showed that it did not contain significant quantities of PCBs. 

T7herefore, transformer oil containing PCBs was added to the soil at the rate of 5 ml of oil to 100 grams 

of soil, which yielded oil concentration of 43000 ppm in the soil. Particle size distribution of the soil was 

approximately 33% silt, 60% sand and 7% gravel and soil was classified as “silty-sand”. 

For solidification of waste and encapsulation of contaminants, portland cement as a binding agent was 

mixed with waste materials at different ratios. This ratio was determined based on particle size 

distribution of waste materials. In general, as the fraction of fine particles in the waste increases the 

amount of portland cement to be used decreases. On the other hand, as the fraction of coarse particles in 

the waste increases, the strength of solidified waste against deformation increases at the same ratio of 

portland cement and waste material mixture. Waste material and portland cement mixing ratios were 

determined considering these general facts. For mining residue, two samples representing fine, and coarse 

particle size distribution were prepared. In order to prepare the coarse particle size distribution, sand was 

added to the waste. The mixing ratio of sand to waste + cement + moisture was 1:1. For each waste 

material representing a given particle size distribution class, two different portland cement mixing ratio 

was used. The objectives were to determine the effects of binding agent ratio and particle size distribution 

of waste material on S/S process and the metal retention efficiency of portland cement as a binding agent. 

Mixing ratios for different waste groups are given in Table1. 

Table 1: Waste material and portland cement mixing ratios 

Waste Material Cement Addition 

(% by weight) 

Waste material from gold mining (fine texture) 10 and 20 % 

Waste material from gold mining (coarse texture) 10 and 20 % 

Wastewater from pulp and paper industry 83 and 88 % 

Sludge from treatment of pulp and paper industry wastewater 30 and 50 % 

PCB-contaminated soil 20 and 35 % 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Prior to S/S process, physical and rheological characteristics of waste materials were determined. For 

mining waste and PCB-contaminated soil, maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, Atterberg 

limits, specific gravity and particle size distribution were determined. For AOX containing sludge, only 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

47 

maximum dry density and optimum moisture content were determined. Particle size distributions of 

mining waste and PCB-contaminated soil were determined using hydrometer and sieving methods, 

respectively. Standard Proctor Compaction Test was performed to determine maximum dry density and 

optimum moisture content. In order to test ability of solidified/stabilized waste samples to withstand 

overburden loads, unconfined compressive strength tests were performed on samples using Compression 

Test Equipment. Hydraulic conductivity of solidified/stabilized waste samples was measured using a 

flexible wall permeameter under a hydraulic gradient of 113. 

All waste and cement mixtures were prepared by adding optimum moisture content and then compacted 

to corresponding maximum dry density in cylindrical molds having a height of 71 mm and a diameter of 

36 mm. After compaction, cylindrical samples were removed from the molds and placed in a 95 % 

humidity room for 28 day-curing. At the end of the 28-day cure period, duplicate samples of 

solidified/stabilized waste were used for strength and hydraulic conductivity tests. Prior to the 

performance of leaching tests, solidified samples were crushed and passed through sieves for fractionation 

to aggregate sizes between 1-2 mm and >2 mm. Then, duplicates of crashed waste samples from each 

aggregate size fraction were subjected to leaching test. Based on the physical tests and chemical 

compositions of leachate obtained from leaching tests, the effectiveness of S/S in terms of contaminant 

encapsulation was assessed for each waste type and cement ratio combination. 

The level of effectiveness of S/S process in terms of reducing contaminant mobility is evaluated through 

hydraulic conductivity and leaching tests. In this study, as leaching test Toxicity Characteristic Leaching 

Procedure (TCLP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U. S. EPA) and Distilled Water 

Leaching Procedure (DWLP) of THWCR were used. TCLP and DWLP were applied using 2 and 3 

grams of duplicate waste samples from each aggregate size fraction, between 1-2 mm and >2 mm. 

Prior S/S process, initial metal composition of mining waste and portland cement were determined by 

acid (HNO3-HF) digestion method (Infante and Acosta, 1988). The leachate of solidified waste samples 

obtained from TCLP were analysed for various metals (Cr2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+

, 

and K+

) and anions (Cl- ,SO4, CO3

2- and PO43-) using standard methods (AWWA-APHA, 1989). For the 

analyses of metals, except for sodium and potassium, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was 

used; analyses of sodium and potassium were carried out by Flame Photometer. Sulfate and phosphate 

were measured by spectrophotometer. The measurement of sulfate was based on turbidimetric method. 

For the measurement of phosphate, ascorbic acid method was used. Chloride and carbonate analyses were 

based on titrimetric methods. AOX analyses were done based on German DIN-3849 method using 

Euroglas BV microcoulometer equipment. Measurement of PCB was based on microwave-assisted 

solvent extraction method 3546 and gas chromatography method 8080 of EPA SW-846. 

5. RESULTS 

5. 1 Mining Waste 

A. Chemical Analyses for Waste-Cement Mixtures 

Prior to 28-day cure period, initial metal composition of the mining waste was determined. Because 

portland cement, as binding agent, was mixed with waste material, metal composition of portland cement 

was also determined to see any contribution to the metal content of waste. The results of total metal 

compositions of mining waste material and portland cement are given in Table 2. As seen in the table, 

main constituents of portland cement used in this study were calcium, magnesium, aluminium and iron as 

expected. Initial total metal analyses of mining waste material showed that heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, 

and Zn) concentrations were relatively high except for cadmium. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

48 

Table 2: Metal Compositions of Portland Cement and Mining Waste Material Before (Initial) and After 

(Final) Metal Salt Addition 

Metals Portland Cement 

(mg/kg) 

Waste (Initial) 

(mg/kg) 

Waste (Final) 

(mg/kg) 

Cd BDLa 40 970 

Cu 30 2410 3640 

Cr 500 350 2410 

Pb BDL 3480 4380 

Zn 40 2380 3760 

Fe 15630 29700 32210 

Al 29070 30890 30090 

Ca 276310 440 640 

Mg 8240 1150 1570 

a

BDL: Below detection limit (for Cd, 0.05 mg/L) 

Table 3 provides an overview of various cleanup goals based on total metal concentrations. If these values 

are exceeded, the soil or waste will be classified as “contaminated”. Therefore, initial total metal 

concentrations of mining waste should be much higher than these standards in order to be classified as 

hazardous. Upon comparing these cleanup values (Table 3) with Table 2, it can be seen that initial total 

metal concentrations of mining waste do not exceed cleanup goals much except for copper and lead. In 

order to assess the performance of S/S technology effectively, presence of much higher heavy metal 

concentrations in the mining waste may serve better for the purpose. 

To increase metal concentration levels, solutions of nitrate or sulfate salts of five heavy metals (Cd, Cr, 

Cu, Pb, and Zn) were added to the mining waste. The added salts were chromium nitrate, cadmium 

nitrate, lead nitrate, copper sulfate and zinc sulfate. Final metal composition of mining waste material is 

given in Table 2. By the addition of metal salts, metal concentrations in the waste reached the desired 

high levels and original concentrations for each metal, except for Cr, increased approximately by 1000 

mg/kg. The low Cr concentration may result form non-homogeneous mixing of the waste material and 

metal salts. 

Table 3: Various Cleanup Goals for Total Metals 

Total Metal Cleanup 

Goals 

Cd 

(mg/kg) 

Cr 

(mg/kg) 

Pb 

(mg/kg) 

Cu 

(mg/kg) 

Zn 

(mg/kg) 

Superfund Site Goals 

From Technical Resource 

Document 

3 to 20 6.7 to 375 200 to 500 - a - a 

California Total 

Threshold Limit 

Concentration 

100 500 1000 - a - a 

Louisiana Cleanup 

Standards For 

Contaminated Soil 

20 100 100 1500 2800 

a

 not specified among the goals 

In addition to the initial metal compositions of mining waste material and portland cement, total metal 

analyses of samples of waste-cement mixtures at the end of 28-day cure period were performed. The 

purpose was to obtain the chemical composition of these waste samples before leaching tests. The results 

are given in Table 4. As seen from the table, metal concentrations of coarse waste samples were diluted 

due to addition of sand, which shifted the texture of waste from silt (fine) to sand (coarse). Moreover, 

since coarse waste mixed with 20% portland cement contained less original waste compared to the one 

mixed with 10% portland cement, total metal concentrations were the lowest in coarse textured waste 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

49 

containing 20% portland cement. All waste samples also have very high concentrations of Fe, Al, Ca and 

Mg due to high concentrations of these metals in the portland cement. 

Table 4: Chemical composition of fine and coarse mining waste and cement mixtures 

Metals 

(1) 

10% cement 

Fine 

(mg/kg) 

(2) 

10% cement 

Coarse 

(mg/kg) 

(3) 

20% cement 

Fine 

(mg/kg) 

(4) 

20% cement 

Coarse 

(mg/kg) 

(5) 

Cd 1250 850 1000 750 

Cu 3330 1690 2550 1250 

Cr 3060 1920 2140 1770 

Pb 3090 1420 2320 1210 

Zn 1900 1350 1990 1050 

Fe 13500 10470 13310 8780 

Al 26130 11170 24360 8250 

Ca 7830 15540 17720 19400 

Mg 1710 3100 2490 1560 

K 21550 9950 12950 9000 

Na 27780 7150 20000 21000 

 

B. Physical Analyses 

Prior to S/S, some physical characteristics, such as Atterberg limits, maximum dry density, optimum 

moisture content, specific gravity and particle size distribution of mining waste and cement mixtures were 

determined. Among these, values of optimum moisture content and corresponding maximum dry density 

were used to determine for each case the volume of water to be added to waste-cement mixture and the 

mass at which waste-cement mixture to be compacted. Results are given in Table 5. As seen from the 

table, coarse textured waste-cement mixtures have higher dry densities and corresponding low optimum 

moisture contents. Soil classification of the samples in Table 5 was made based on their plasticity index 

and particle size distribution. Addition of sand to waste-cement mixture changed soil classification of fine 

waste samples from ML (silt-low plasticity) to SM (silty sands) and decreased liquid limit values of 

coarse waste-cement mixtures. 

C. TCLP Leaching Tests 

TCLP provides a measure of metal concentration that leach from the solid phase of a waste sample when 

extracted in an acetic acid solution. It is designed to simulate leaching conditions to which a waste 

disposed in a landfill may be exposed (Pritts et al., 1999). Therefore, one of the most important technical 

criteria for testing the effectiveness of S/S process is the quality of TCLP leachate. At the end of 28-day 

cure period, TCLP was applied and leachate obtained for each waste group (fine and coarse waste, 10% 

and 20% cement; crashed solidified sample aggregate size between 1-2 mm and > 2mm) was analyzed for 

heavy metals and some ions. The results of these analyses are given in Table 6. In general, at the same 

cement ratio, fine waste samples produced leachate having lower metal concentrations than coarse waste 

samples. Therefore, when initial waste characterization is taken into consideration, waste samples having 

finer textures will result in better S/S process. Despite slight difference between initial metal 

compositions of cement-waste mixtures, increasing cement ratio from 10% to 20% did not have any 

considerable effect on metal concentrations in the leachate of the same fine or coarse textured waste. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

50 

Table 5: Physical characteristics of fine and coarse mining waste and cement mixtures 

Characteristics 

(1) 

10% cement 

Fine 

(2) 

20% cement 

Fine (3) 

10% cement 

Coarse 

(4) 

20% cement 

Coarse 

(5) 

Dry density (gcm-3) 1.77 1.78 2 2

Optimum moisture content (%) 15 17 10 11

Liquid limit (%) 28 28 22 22

Plastic limit (%) 18 20 17 16

Plasticity index (%) 10 8 5 6

Soil classification ML (silt-low 

plasticity) 

ML(silt-low 

plasticity) 

SM (silty 

sands) 

SM(silty 

sands) 

Specific gravity 2.72 2.73 2.67 2.75 

Particle size 

distribution 

18% clay 

55% silt 

27% sand 

22% clay 

52% silt 

26% sand 

12% clay 

29% silt 

59% sand 

13% clay 

29% silt 

58% sand 

Table 6: The chemical compositions of TCLP and DWLP leachates obtained from mining waste 

solidified at different cement ratios 

10% cement, fine 20% cement, fine 10% cement, coarse 20% cement, coarse 

Ions 1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 

TCLP 

mg/L 

DWLP 

mg/L 

TCLP 

mg/L 

DWLP 

mg/L 

TCLP 

mg/L 

DWLP

mg/L

TCLP

mg/L

DWLP

mg/L

TCLP

mg/L

DWLP

mg/L

TCLP

mg/L

DWLP 

mg/L 

TCLP 

mg/L 

DWLP

mg/L

TCLP

mg/L

DWLP

mg/L

Cd 1.85 0.23 3.89 ND 0.47 0.12 0.58 0.08 2.0 0.29 2.41 0.13 0.73 0.16 0.19 0.12

Cu 0.31 ND 0.44 ND 0.41 0.12 0.38 0.07 0.92 0.51 0.68 0.27 0.91 0.51 0.29 0.22

Cr 0.37 ND ND ND 0.59 0.55 0.58 0.59 1.71 0.60 0.76 0.19 2.22 1.03 0.95 0.68

Pb 0.39 ND 0.23 ND 0.58 0.45 0.48 0.39 1.12 0.51 0.76 0.35 1.38 0.55 0.22 0.13

Zn 0.71 0.24 1.85 0.31 0.5 0.07 0.35 0.02 0.96 0.33 1.04 0.15 0.77 0.24 0.17 0.05

Fe ND ND ND ND 1.94 0.84 1.09 0.51 3.69 3.08 2.2 0.70 2.35 2.18 0.78 0.62

Al ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND

Ca 94.6 83.39 93.5 80.83 172.1 114.5 161.3 117.5 288 162.1 286.6 170.4 218.4 144.2 215.4 136.7

Mg 17 6.31 18.31 4.95 21.98 4.25 23.63 6.35 30.7 8.31 29.25 8.76 3.16 0.227 5.73 0.36

K 58 19 30.5 19 45.5 19 43 19 21.5 20 21.5 20 20 11.5 19.75 12.5

Na 152.2 36 385 28 760.7 7.7 773.7 6.45 266 10.35 260 8.4 995 19.3 1001 25.6

SO4

2- 149.9 76.5 143.8 78.1 36.7 4.47 26.96 16.3 53.58 8.77 66.29 0 17.12 4.6 19.63 2.3

PO4

3- 0.31 25.02 0.58 8.94 0.88 0 1.12 0 1.44 0 0 0 2.14 2.2 0.08 4.57

Cl- 150 274.9 208.3 224.9 495.3 574.8 482.9 524.8 386.4 418.9 623.8 468.9 605.3 320.9 555.3 220.9

CO3

2- 1854 4320 1320 1440 1110 2370 300 4020 2940 1350 1500 630 495 780 735 150

ND: Concentration is below the detection limit (for Cd, 0.05 mg/L; Cu, 0.05 mg/L; Cr 0.1 mg/L; Pb 0.1 mg/L; Fe, 0.5 mg/L and Al, 5 mg/L) 

 

For metals, the U.S. EPA defines toxicity characteristic limits based on metal concentrations measured in 

the TCLP leachates (U. S. EPA, 1997). These toxicity characteristic limits, which are given in Table 7 for 

metals studied in this work, mean that wastes containing metal concentrations in their TCLP extract 

exceed the listed concentrations are considered to be characteristically hazardous and said to have the 

toxicity characteristic. When the results of TCLP in Table 6 were compared with EPA toxicity 

characteristic limits, given in Table 7, it is observed that only Cd concentrations in the leachates of fine 

and coarse waste samples mixed with 10% cement exceeded the regulated level. All the other metal 

concentrations in the leachate were much lower than these regulated levels. This higher Cd concentration 

in TCLP leachate of 10% cement-waste samples may be due to somewhat lower leachate pH, which was 

around 6, of 10% cement-waste samples. This slightly acidic leachate condition probably caused 

dissolution of Cd, for which lower pH limit to precipitate is 6.8 (Table 7), and thus prevented its 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

51 

precipitation within the cement matrix. Results of Cioffi et al. (1998) support this observation by stating 

that cadmium is retained within the matrix provided that pH does not drop to the acid range. Overall, from 

a regulatory perspective leachate quality indicates that S/S process is effective for all (fine and coarse 

textured wastes mixed with 10% and 20% cement) cases of the mining waste. 

Table 7: The pH range for the quantitative precipitation and U.S. EPA toxicity characteristic limits of 

metals 

Metals 

(1) 

pH range for precipitation 

(2) 

U.S. EPA toxicity characteristic limits 

 (mg/L) 

(3) 

Cd 6.8-12.0 1.0

Cr 5.4-10.0 5.0

Cu 5.4-12.0 130.0

Fe 2.3-12.0 30.0

Pb 6.0-9.0 5.0

Zn 5.3-9.0 500.0

For heavy metals, pH dependent precipitation reactions (i.e., hydroxides, carbonates, sulfates) are often an 

important stabilization mechanism. The pH of TCLP extraction fluid used for the mining waste was 

around 4.93, but after shaking fractionated solidified waste samples together with the extraction fluid, the 

final pH of TCLP leachates were within the range of 6.05 and 6.80. The pH of the extraction fluid, as 

expected, affected the final pH of leachates and also the alkalinity present in the cement leads to higher 

leachate pH values. Table 7 gives the pH range for the precipitation of heavy metals cadmium, chromium, 

lead, copper, iron, and zinc considered in this study (Porteus, 1985). At high pH, many metals reach their 

lowest solubility and precipitate as their respective insoluble hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates and etc. 

(LaGrega, 1994). Moreover, major aqueous components of cement such as Na+

, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, OH- and 

SO4

2- are potentially available ions to react with wastes and make insoluble precipitates of heavy metals 

(Glasser, 1997). Most of the metals in the mining waste are converted to insoluble precipitates during S/S 

process within the observed final pH range of TCLP leachates and are subsequently trapped within the 

pores of cement matrix. 

With regard to aggregate size effect, results in Table 6 showed that crashing the solidified samples into 

aggregate size classes 1-2 mm and >2 mm did not affect the metal concentrations in the TCLP leachate. 

Increase in the leachate concentration with the decrease in the aggregate size was observed only for 

coarse waste sample with 20 % cement addition. Wiebusch et al. (1998) investigated much larger 

aggregate size classes (20-50 mm, 2-20 mm and <2 mm) obtained from solidified fly ash and found that 

leachate concentrations of heavy metals in samples with aggregate size <2 mm were 2.5 times greater 

than those in samples with aggregate size in the range of 20-50 mm. 

Following TCLP extractions, percentages of metals retained in the solidified/stabilized mining waste were 

calculated to determine the amount of metals released into the leachate and in turn, to assess the 

effectiveness of S/S process. The following formula was used to calculate the retention efficiency, i.e., 

percent retention (% RT): 

x100

M

M (V )(C ) %RT

T

T − L L =

where MT is the total initial mass of a given metal in the waste-cement mixture, mg; VL is the volume of 

leachate, L; and CL is the concentration of metal in the leachate, mg/L. For example, %RT=90 means that 

10% of the metal initially present in the waste-cement mixture transferred into the leachate while 90% of 

the metal still remained in the solidified waste. Thus, high values of %RT imply high degree effectiveness 

of S/S process. Values of %RT calculated for TCLP and DWLP are given in Table 8 and 9, respectively. 

According to these tables, S/S applications for all cases resulted in high degree of effectiveness. Although
Table 8: Percent retention efficiency of metal concentrations in S/S samples of mining waste after TCLP 

 10% cement, fine 20% cement, fine 10% cement, coarse 

1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 

Metals Ci

(mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) 

(

Cd 1250 1.85 97.0 3.89 93.8 1000 0.47 99.1 0.58 98.8 850 2 95.3 2.41 94.3 750 Cu 3330 0.31 99.8 0.44 99.7 2550 0.41 99.7 0.38 99.7 1690 0.92 98.9 0.68 99.2 1250 

Cr 3060 0.37 99.8 ND 99.9 2140 0.59 99.4 0.58 99.5 1920 1.71 98.2 0.76 99.2 1770 

Pb 3090 0.39 99.7 0.23 99.9 2320 0.58 99.5 0.48 99.6 1420 1.12 98.4 0.76 98.9 1210 

Zn 1900 0.71 99.3 1.85 98.1 1990 0.5 99.5 0.35 99.6 1350 0.96 98.6 1.04 98.5 1050 

Fe 13500 0.50 99.9 0.50 99.9 13310 1.94 99.7 1.09 99.8 10470 3.69 99.3 2.2 99.6 8780 Al 26130 5.0 99.6 5.0 99.6 24360 5.0 99.6 5.0 99.6 11170 5.0 99.1 5.0 99.1 8250 

Ca 7830 94.6 75.8 93.5 76.1 17720 172.1 80.6 161.3 81.8 15540 288 62.9 286.6 63.1 19400 2

Mg 1710 17 80.1 18.31 78.6 2490 21.98 82.3 23.63 81.0 3100 30.7 80.2 29.25 81.1 1560 

Ci: initial metal concentration in the waste 

Cl: leachate concentration of metal RT: percent retained metal concentration

Table 9: Percent retention efficiency of metal concentrations in S/S samples of mining waste after DWLP

 10% cement, fine 20% cement, fine 10% cement, coarse 

1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 1-2 mm >2 mm 

Metals Ci

(mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Cl (mg/l) RT (%) Ci (mg/kg) 

Cd 1250 0.23 99.8 0.05 99.96 1000 0.12 99.9 0.08 99.9 850 0.29 99.7 0.13 99.8 750 Cu 3330 0.05 99.98 0.05 99.98 2550 0.12 99.95 0.07 99.97 1690 0.51 99.7 0.27 99.8 1250 

Cr 3060 0.1 99.97 0.1 99.97 2140 0.55 99.7 0.59 99.7 1920 0.6 99.7 0.19 99.9 1770 

Pb 3090 0.1 99.97 0.1 99.97 2320 0.45 99.8 0.39 99.8 1420 0.51 99.6 0.35 99.8 1210 

Zn 1900 0.24 99.9 0.31 99.8 1990 0.07 99.96 0.02 99.99 1350 0.33 99.8 0.15 99.9 1050 

Fe 13500 0.5 99.96 0.5 99.96 13310 0.84 99.94 0.51 99.96 10470 3.08 99.7 0.7 99.9 8780 Al 26130 5 99.96 5 99.8 24360 5 99.8 5 99.8 11170 5 99.6 5 99.6 8250 

Ca 7830 83.39 89.4 80.83 89.7 17720 114.5 93.5 117.5 93.4 15540 162.1 89.6 170.4 89.0 19400 

Mg 1710 6.31 96.3 4.95 97.1 2490 4.25 98.3 6.35 74.5 3100 8.31 97.3 8.76 97.2 1560 

Ci: initial metal concentration in the waste 

Cl: leachate concentration of metal RT: percent retained metal concentration
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

53 

 fine waste samples mixed with 10% cement had initially the highest metal concentrations among the 

others, the effectiveness of S/S was also high for this case. In general, the finer the waste texture and 

higher the cement ratio, the higher the value of %RT and greater the effectiveness of S/S process. Despite 

very high %RT values (>94%) for all metals, Cd concentration in TCLP leachate of 10% cement-waste 

mixture exceeded the U. S. EPA regulatory limit when initial Cd concentration in the waste is high (> 850 

mg/kg). 

D. Unconfined Compressive Strength and Hydraulic Conductivity Tests 

In addition to leaching tests conducted to determine the amount of contaminant that can be leached from 

the solidified wastes, the effectiveness of S/S process can also be assessed by testing the unconfined 

compressive strength and hydraulic conductivity of solidified/stabilized samples (Porteous, 1985). These 

tests have been adopted in order to evaluate the physical integrity and engineering properties of solidified 

and stabilized product in actual field conditions (Lagrega et al., 1994). Unconfined compressive strength 

and hydraulic conductivity tests were performed on duplicate cylindrical solidified samples of each 

treatment at the end of 28 days-cure period. These results are given in Table 10. 

Table 10: Unconfined compressive strength (qu) and hydraulic conductivity (K) values for mining waste 

samples solidified at different cement ratios 

Property 

(1) 

10% Cement, 

Fine 

(2) 

20% Cement, 

Fine 

(3) 

10% Cement, 

Coarse 

(4) 

20% Cement, 

Coarse 

(5) 

qu, kPa 1153.46 2520.4 1019 3250 

K, m/s 2.1 x 10-9 1.09 x 10-9 1.84 x 10-9 1.04 x 10-9 

Solidified and stabilized wastes must have adequate strength to be able to support the loads of materials 

placed over them. In general for any given S/S agent, the stronger the solidified waste, the more effective 

S/S process (LaGrega et al., 1994). In this study, results of both fine and coarse textured wastes showed 

that unconfined compressive strength also increases with increasing cement ratio in the waste. The U.S. 

EPA defines a minimum unconfined compressive strength value of 350 kPa for the disposal of solidified 

hazardous wastes in landfills (U. S. EPA, 1992). Unconfined compressive strength values measured for 

all treatments considered in this study are well above this limiting value. Therefore, these solidified 

samples can easily be disposed of in landfills. 

Solidified fine and coarse waste materials at the same cement ratio had similar hydraulic conductivity 

values. As the cement ratio increased hydraulic conductivity values decreased both for fine and coarse 

textured waste samples. As shown in Table 10, hydraulic conductivity values measured for all treatments 

were in the order of 10-9 m/s although higher cement addition (20%) results in somewhat lower 

conductivity values. Measured conductivity values are two orders of magnitude lower than the value of 

10-7 m/s recommended by U.S. EPA for land-burial of stabilized wastes (U. S. EPA, 1989). Therefore, in 

terms of hydraulic conductivity criterion, mining waste can be disposed of in a landfill. 

5.2 AOX Containing Pulp and Paper Wastewater and Sludge 

For S/S of AOX containing sludge from pulp and paper industry, the same procedure was followed as in 

the case of mining waste. Since the samples were compacted into cylindrical molds at their optimum 

moisture content yielding maximum dry density, in terms of initial physical characterization, only 

optimum moisture content and corresponding maximum dry density values were measured. The results 

for sludge mixed with 30% and 50% portland cement are given in Table 11, which show a slight increase 

in the optimum moisture content of sludge samples with increasing portland cement addition and in turn, 

an increase in the corresponding dry density. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

54 

Table 11: Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density values for AOX-containing pulp and 

paper sludge 

Material 

(1) 

Optimum moisture content 

(%) 

(2) 

Maximum dry density 

(g/cm3

) 

(3) 

30% Cement-Sludge 18 1.27 

50% Cement-Sludge 19 1.32 

A. AOX Analyses 

Prior to S/S of samples, initial AOX concentrations of wastewater and sludge were measured as39 mg/L 

and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Following the 28 day-S/S cure period, TCLP were applied to the solidified 

samples crashed to aggregate sizes between 1-2 mm and >2 mm. The results of AOX analyses in TCLP 

and DWLP leachates are given in Table 12 and 13 for wastewater and sludge, respectively. Results show 

that the cement-mixing ratio and aggregate size of the crashed solidified samples did not have any 

considerable effect on the AOX concentration in the leachate. AOX concentrations in the leachate 

decreased slightly with increase in the cement addition. Based on TCLP and DWLP results, AOX 

retention efficiency for solidified wastewater and sludge samples were determined as 90% and 85%, 

respectively. 

Table 12: AOX concentrations in TCLP and DWLP leachates of wastewater solidified at different 

cement ratios 

 

AOX Concentration (mg/L) 

Wastewater: 1-2 mm > 2mm 

Cement Ratio TCLP Water TCLP Water 

1:6 3.24 3.22 3.35 3.30 

1:8 3.20 3.19 3.33 3.14 

Table 13: AOX concentrations in TCLP and DWLP leachates of pulp and paper sludge solidified at 

different cement ratios 

AOX Concentration (mg/L) 

% Cement added 1-2 mm > 2mm 

to sludge TCLP Water TCLP Water 

30% 3.37 3.43 3.22 3.45 

50% 3.11 3.21 3.20 3.01 

Unlike U. S. EPA, Turkish Hazardous Waste Control Regulation defines a specific hazardous waste 

criteria range of 0.6 to 3 mg/L for AOX in the leachate. If AOX concentration of a waste is within this 

range, then that waste is considered to be hazardous waste and need to be disposed of in a hazardous 

waste landfill without any pre-treatment before landfilling. But, if AOX concentrations exceed the upper 

limit, then waste should be treated before landfilling. Although application of S/S process to AOX 

containing sludge yielded high retention efficiency, concentrations of AOX in the TCLP leachates were 

above the regulated levels. That is, wastes having similar AOX concentrations as of these sludges do not 

seem to be disposed of directly in landfills. 

B. Unconfined Compressive Strength and Hydraulic Conductivity Tests 

At the end of the 28-day cure period, hydraulic conductivity and unconfined compressive strength tests 

were performed on duplicates of solidified/stabilized sludge samples. The results of these tests, which are 

given in Table 14, indicate that as expected, increase in the cement ratio increased the strength of 

solidified/stabilized samples. Unconfined compressive strength values measured for both 30% and 50% 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

55 

cement cases are well above U. S. EPA limiting value of 350 kPa for the disposal of solidified hazardous 

wastes in landfills. 

Table 14: Unconfined compressive strength (qu) and hydraulic conductivity (K) values for AOXcontaining pulp and paper sludge samples solidified different cement ratios 

Property 

(1) 

30% Cement 

(2) 

50% Cement 

(3) 

qu, kPa 2990 3605 

K, m/s 2.6 x 10-9 1.8 x 10-9 

There was a decrease in hydraulic conductivity with higher cement addition. When the measured 

conductivity values were compared with the value of 10-7 m/s recommended by U.S. EPA for land-burial 

of stabilized wastes (EPA, 1989), measured values were two orders of magnitude lower than the 

recommended value of EPA. Therefore, in terms of hydraulic conductivity criterion, these samples can be 

disposed of in landfills. 

5.3 PCB-Contaminated Soil 

A. Physical Analyses 

Prior to S/S of PCB-contaminated soil, Atterberg limits and particle size distribution of soil were 

determined. In addition, optimum moisture content and corresponding maximum dry densities of soilcement mixtures were determined. Results are presented in Table 15. Although there was no change in the 

optimum moisture content, maximum dry density increased with high cement addition. Atterberg limits of 

the contaminated soil showed that the soil is non-plastic. Based on particle size distribution analysis, the 

soil consists of approximately 33% silt, 60% sand and 7% gravel. 

Table 15: Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Density Values for PCB-Contaminated Soil 

Material 

(1) 

Optimum moisture content 

(%) 

(2) 

Maximum dry density 

(g/cm3

) 

(3) 

20% Cement-Soil 21 1.38 

50% Cement-Soil 21 1.42 

B. PCB Analyses 

Because the contaminated soil initially did not contain significant PCB concentration, transformer oil was 

added to the soil at the ratio of 5 ml of oil to 100 grams of soil to increase initial PCB concentration in the 

soil. The density of transformer oil was approximately 0.86 g/cm3

. Therefore, the concentration of oil in 

the soil was around 43,000 mg/kg. Oil concentration was high in the soil, so it was expected that PCB 

concentration of the soil would also be high. However, the analyses of the transformer oil yielded 39.6 

mg/kg PCB as arochlor 1254. Some records of PCB analyses for a number of transformer oil showed that 

PCB concentration differs considerably. 

Initial PCB concentrations in the soil were measured by gas chromatograph following microwave assisted 

solvent extraction based on U. S. EPA method 3546. In order to determine which arochlors exist in the 

soil as PCB, the standard solutions of arochlor 1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254 and 1260 were 

injected. Results showed that the soil has arochlor 1254 as PCB and initial PCB concentration (Arochlor 

1254) in the soil is 1.74 mg/kg. 

The results of PCB analyses in TCLP and DWLP leachates are given in Table 16. As expected, arochlor 

1254 was seen in the leachates as PCB. Higher cement addition resulted in less PCB concentrations in the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

56 

leachates implying that application of S/S process to PCB-contaminated soil will be more effective with 

higher cement addition. Moreover, the effect of aggregate size on leachate quality was observed. Samples 

with finer aggregate sizes yielded higher concentrations in the leachates due to the increased surface area 

exposed to the leachant in the crushed samples. Thus, it was seen that the only effective mechanism for 

S/S of PCB was physical entrapment rather than chemical reactions. The U. S. EPA regulations allow 

wastes containing 50 to 500 ppm PCB to be disposed of in landfills. Such landfill sites must have 

hydraulic conductivity of liner or underlying soil less than 10-7 cm/s, attenuation layer at the bottom of the 

landfill and above the historical high groundwater table at least 15 m thick, and monitoring wells and 

leachate collection system. Landfilling of wastes with PCB levels of less than 50 ppm is not currently 

regulated. That is, these wastes can be disposed of in landfills permitted under Resource Conservation and 

Recovery Act (RCRA) or even solid waste landfills (Freeman, 1988). 

Table 16: PCB concentrations in TCLP and DWL leachate of PCB-contaminated soil solidified at 

different cement ratios 

PCB Concentration (μg/L) 

Cement Ratio 1-2 mm > 2mm 

TCLP Water TCLP Water 

20% 30 14 18 6 

35% 22 11 11 5 

In order to assess leachate quality, the Drinking Water Standard of PCB, being 0.5 μg/L (Watts, 1998), 

was used. Following the U. S. EPA guidelines, i.e., using the magnifying factor of 100 to drinking water 

standard, gives maximum allowable concentration of PCB in the TCLP leachate as 50 μg/L. PCB 

concentrations measured in TCLP leachate (Table 14) are lower than this value, but 20 to 60 times higher 

than the drinking water standard. Calculated percent retention efficiency of PCB in the 

solidified/stabilized soil after TCLP and DWLP extractions are given in Table 17. Higher retention 

efficiencies were obtained with higher cement addition and samples of larger aggregate size. 

Table 17: Percent retention efficiency of PCB concentration in S/S soil samples after TCLP and DWLP 

Retained (%) 

Cement Ratio 1-2 mm > 2mm 

TCLP Water TCLP Water 

20% 66 84 79 93 

35% 75 87 87 94 

 

C. Unconfined Compressive Strength and Hydraulic Conductivity Tests 

Both hydraulic conductivity and unconfined compressive strength tests were performed on duplicate 

solidified/stabilized samples of PCB-contaminated soil. The results of these tests are given in Table 18. 

Results showed that PCB affected the strength development of portland cement, because the values of 

unconfined compressive strength values were much lower than those for mining waste and AOX 

containing sludge. Especially, unconfined compressive strength of solidified soil with 20% cement was 

just above the U. S. EPA standard of 350 kPa. Therefore, 20% cement addition was not enough for 

effective applications of S/S for PCB-contaminated soil. It seems that PCB in the soil interferes with the 

strength development or hydration reaction of cement. However, the unconfined compressive strength 

value of solidified soil with 35% cement added satisfies the U.S. EPA standard of 350 kPa recommended 

for disposal in landfills. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

57 

Table 18: Unconfined compressive strength (qu) and hydraulic conductivity (K) values for PCBcontaminated soil samples solidified at different cement ratios 

Property 

(1) 

20% Cement 

(2) 

35% Cement 

(3) 

qu, kPa 373 1340 

K, m/s 1.1x10-9 4.4x10-10 

As in the case of other waste types, hydraulic conductivity values of solidified PCB-contaminated soil 

decreased with higher cement addition. These conductivity values were lower than the U. S. EPA 

standard of 10-7 m/s required for disposal in landfills. 

 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Not applicable. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Not applicable. 

8. COSTS 

Not available. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

S/S of mining waste was investigated for four cases: combinations of two different portland cement ratios 

(10% and 20%) and two different particle size distribution of plane waste (fine and coarse). For all cases 

of metals it was shown that the application of S/S produced acceptable results from a regulatory 

perspective. Unconfined compressive strength values were in the range of 1019 to 3250 kPa and hydraulic 

conductivity in the range of 1.04 x 10-9 to 2.1 x 10-9 m/s, which were below the U. S. EPA regulated 

values for landfilling. The effect of aggregate size on TCLP leachate quality was also investigated using 

in TCLP tests solidified samples crashed into two different aggregate sizes. Test results showed that S/S 

produced metal retention efficiencies in the solidified mass greater than 94%. In terms of the effect of 

particle size distribution of the plane mining waste, as a general trend, at the same cement-waste ratio 

leachate concentrations of fine waste samples were lower than those of coarse waste samples. 

Technical criteria for the performance assessment of S/S require low leachate concentrations, low 

permeability and high unconfined compressive strength. For metal containing mining waste, since all 

cases produced acceptable unconfined compressive strength and hydraulic conductivity values in terms of 

regulatory compliance, leachate concentrations seem to be the most critical factor in assessing the 

effectiveness of S/S technology. Therefore, overall results indicate that the most suitable conditions for 

S/S of metal containing hazardous wastes occur when 10% cement is mixed with the plane waste 

consisting of nearly 75 % fine (silt and clay size) particles. However, the application of S/S for cadmium 

was not successful because leachate concentrations of cadmium exceeded the regulatory limits of the U. 

S. EPA. Therefore, for effective applications of S/S to the mining wastes containing high cadmium 

concentration (≈1000 mg/kg), cement addition should be greater than 10%. 

For the S/S of AOX containing pulp and paper sludge, it was observed that portland cement was highly 

effective in retaining AOX within solid matrix. Percent retention efficiency of solidified/stabilized AOX 

was 85%. However, AOX concentrations in the leachate were slightly above the regulated levels. 

Cement-mixing ratio and crashing the solidified samples into different aggregate sizes did not affect AOX 

concentration in leachate. There was only a slight decrease in leachate AOX concentrations with 

increasing cement addition. When the other technical criteria (unconfined compressive strength and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

58 

hydraulic conductivity) were taken into consideration, they were consistent with the U.S. EPA standards. 

For successful application of S/S to pulp and paper sludge containing AOX concentration greater than 

400 mg/kg, the cement ratio can be increased beyond 50% or other additives as adsorbent must be used 

besides portland cement. 

S/S of PCB-contaminated soil gave questionable results. Despite low initial PCB concentration in soil 

(1.74 mg/kg), PCB concentrations in TCLP leachate from solidified/stabilized soil samples were 

relatively high (in the range of 11-30 μg/L). Percent retention efficiency of PCB in S/S samples ranged 

between 66% and 87% for different treatments. Higher PCB concentrations in the TCLP leachates of 

solidified samples with finer aggregate sizes indicated that the physical entrapment in the pores is the 

major retention mechanism for solid matrix and therefore chemical fixation of PCB is not taking place. At 

low cement additions, unconfined compressive strength of PCB-contaminated soil was much lower than 

those of mining waste and AOX containing sludge. So, it can be concluded that PCB oil had an inhibitory 

effect on the strength development of portland cement when cement ratio is low. Overall result indicate 

that the effective applications of cement-based S/S to PCB contaminated coarse textured soils are highly 

unlikely especially at PCB concentration levels as high as 50 to 500 ppm range and at cement ratios less 

than 35%. In this regard, higher cement ratio or other additives, such as industrial adsorbents, together 

with portland cement can be applied in order to obtain better leachate quality and thus more effective S/S 

of PCB in soils. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. AWWA-APHA. (1989). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 17th

edition, USA. 

2. Conner J. R. and Hoeffner S. L. (1998). “The History Of Stabilization/Solidification Technology”, 

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 28(4), 325-396. 

3. Freeman, H. M. (1988). Standard Handbook of Hazardous Waste Treatment and Disposal. McGrawHill, New York. 

4. Glasser, F. P. (1997). “Fundamental aspects of cement solidification and stabilization”, Journal of 

Hazardous Materials, 52, 151-170. 

5. Infante, R. N., and Acosta, I. L. (1988). “Comparison of extraction procedures for the determination 

of heavy metals in airborne particulate matter by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission 

spectroscopy”, Atomic Spectroscopy, 9(6), 191-194. 

6. LaGrega, M. D., Buckingham, P. L., and Evans, J. C. (1994). Hazardous Waste Management, 

McGraw Hill, New York. 

7. Porteus, A. (1985). Hazardous Waste Management Handbook. Butterworths & Co Publishers, 

London. 

8. Smith M.A. (1998). Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment and 

Clean Up of Contaminated Land and Ground Water, NATO/CCMS Pilot Study, Phase II, Final 

Report. 

9. U.S. EPA. (1982). “Guide To The Disposal Of Chemically Stabilized And Solidified Waste”, SW872, Office of Water and Waste Management, Washington DC. 

10. U. S. EPA. (1989). “International Waste Technologies/Geo-Con In-Situ Solidification/ Stabilization, 

Applications Analysis Report”. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

59 

11. U. S. EPA. (1992). “Silicate Technology Corporations Solidification/Stabilization Technology for 

Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Soils, Applications Analysis Report”. 

12. Watts, R. J. (1998). Hazardous Wastes, Sources, Pathways, Receptors. John Wiley and Sons, New 

York. 

13. Wiebusch, B., Ozaki, M., Watanabe, H., and Seyfried, C. F. (1998). “Assessment of leaching tests on 

construction material made of incinerator ash (sewage sludge): investigations in Japan and Germany”, 

Water Science and Technology, 38(7), 195-205. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

60 

Project No. 10 

Metal-Biofilm Interactions in Sulphate-Reducing Bacterial Systems 

Location 

Under development in 

consortium's laboratories 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Contaminants 

Metals 

Technology Type 

Biological treatment

Project Dates 

Project accepted 1998 

Final project report 1999 

Media 

Effluents and ground water 

Technical Contact 

Prof. Harry Eccles 

BNFL, 

Research & Technology, 

Springfields, 

Preston, 

Lancashire PR4 0XJ, 

United Kingdom 

Tel: 44 1772 762566 

Fax: 44 1772 762891 

E-mail: he1@bnfl.com 

Costs Documented? 

No 

Project Size 

Laboratory 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 10 was completed in 1999. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were developed to remove toxic heavy metals and radionuclides from 

liquid effluents and/or contaminated ground waters. The technology is currently at the laboratory scale to 

provide fundamental data to enable engineers to design better bioreactors. SRB technology for the 

removal of toxic heavy metals has been used on a limited number of occasions. In general, the bioreactors 

have been over-engineered thus increasing both the capital and operational costs and consequently the 

technology is not perceived as competitive. With intrinsic bioremediation, under anaerobic conditions, 

such as wetlands technology, SRB plays a key role in the sequestration of metals. It is not fully 

understood if this SRB role is complementary or pivotal. If the latter function predominates then 

understanding SRB-metal precipitation mechanisms could enable the wetlands to be better 

engineered/controlled leading to more effective in-situ treatment. 

The aim of this project was to generate new fundamental data by: 

1. Employing a purpose designed biocell 

2. Generating fundamental metal precipitation data from this biocell 

3. Investigating factors affecting growth of sulphate-reducing bacterial (SRB) biofilms 

4. Quantification of important biofilm parameters on metal immobilization 

2. SITE DESCRIPTION 

The studies were carried out in the consortium's laboratories. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

Biological processes for the removal of toxic heavy metals are presently less favored than their chemical/ 

physicochemical counterparts. Reasons for this are several; one of which is the inability to intensify the 

technology due to the lack of fundamental data. BNFL and its partners used a novel biofilm reactor to 

provide such information that can be used by the consortium's biochemical engineers and biofilm 

modelers to design better, smaller and more efficient bioreactors incorporating SRB technology. 

These bacteria are capable of reducing sulphate ions in liquid waste streams to hydrogen sulphide, which 

with many toxic heavy metals will precipitate them from solution as their insoluble sulphides. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

61 

As the solubility products of these sulphides are very small the final treated effluent will meet the most 

stringent specification. Equally as the biological system is an active metabolic one the initial metal 

concentrations can be comparatively high i.e., a few hundred ppm. 

The project commenced on the 1 April 1996 and was completed on the 31 March 1999. 

4. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

At the outset of this project it was appreciated that consistent, reproducible transferable results were 

required from both of the laboratories (Westlakes Scientific Consulting [WSC] and the University of 

Dundee [UOD]) involved in the project. Equally biofilm characterization protocols needed to be 

developed/modified so that the SRB biofilms grown under a variety of conditions and challenged with 

several toxic heavy metals could be comprehensively examined. 

A. Biocell Design and Operation 

A key component of the project was the provision of sound laboratory data in reasonable time-frames. To 

satisfy these and other criteria a purpose designed biocell was constructed by a local specialist 

engineering company. Prior to manufacture the design of the biocell with respect to flow regimes for a 

variety of liquor flow-rates was simulated using CFD and subsequently verified by both WSC and UOD. 

Laminar flow was achieved throughout (>95%) of the biocell biofilm active region. 

The biocell comprised of two chambers separated by a membrane. In some experiments a porous 

membrane was employed thus allowing a variety of experiments to be carried out which included for 

example: 

1. The separation of carbon source, or sulphate or heavy metal from the SRB biofilm. 

2. Transfer, by pressure manipulation, of carbon source, or sulphate through the membrane into the 

biofilm with the generated sulphide subsequently coming into contact with the metal solution. 

3. The reverse of the above. 

The biocell units were constructed in two sizes (lengths), a larger one (500 mm biofilm active length) and 

a smaller unit (100 mm biofilm active length). The longer biocell was largely used for growing the initial 

SRB biofilm on an appropriate membrane and dissected into lengths that could be accommodated by the 

smaller unit. Most of the metal precipitation studies were undertaken in these units. 

The philosophy for this arrangement was the period for biofilm growth was not less than 14 days whereas 

metal precipitation studies took no more than 2 days to complete. 

Factors Affecting Biofilm Growth 

A major variable was the identity of the carbon/energy source used for culture. In general sulphate 

reduced per mol of carbon source consumed was in the order: lactate > ethanol > acetate. Organic 

nitrogen (e.g., a defined vitamin solution) also stimulated yield. However, a complex organic nitrogen 

source e.g., yeast extract did not further stimulate yield. The structure of the support material also affected 

biomass yield. Pore size stimulated yield between pore sizes of 20-100 μm. This appeared to primarily 

affect the area available for attachment. 

Temperature (maximum growth at 30o

C), and the substrate concentration also affected growth and 

sulphate reduction significantly and Km values were determined. No effect was observed due to phosphate 

concentration, inorganic N concentration or support material or hydrophobicity. Prolonged culture led to 

deeper biofilms but the maximum active depth (shown by fluorescein diacetate-staining) remained at 

approximately 500 μm with deeper material appearing to be inactive. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

62 

B. Substrate Utilization 

The biofilm flow cell (biocell) was a key element in this project. It allowed a defined area of biofilm to be 

incubated under defined conditions of rheology and nutrient supply by recirculating medium from a 

reservoir and samples of the recirculating medium can be removed for assay. Substrate-utilization was 

studied in the biocell as a closed system where a fixed quantity of medium was circulated and the 

substrate was depleted over time by the metabolic activities of the biofilm. 

This system permitted measurement of the concentration and rate of use of substrates. Sodium lactate was 

rapidly utilized, producing acetate. Varying the concentrations over a 10- to 20-fold range and allowed 

determination of lactate utilization kinetics, this was carried out by personnel engaged on process 

modeling (K m @ 1,4 mM). Acetate was utilized very slowly by the biofilm culture and accumulated 

during experiments on lactate utilization as it was produced by SRB metabolizing lactate. 

 

When acetate was supplied as the sole carbon/energy source, its rate of utilization and the accompanying 

sulphate reduction were almost undetectable so that no kinetic parameters could be determined. The low 

acetate utilization appeared to result from absence of acetate-degrading organisms from the mixed culture, 

probably as a result of selection by maintaining the culture on lactate as sole carbon/energy source. An 

acetate-utilizing mixed SRB culture was obtained, combined with the lactate-utilizing culture and the 

combined culture was maintained on mixed lactate and acetate as carbon/energy source. This combined 

culture utilized acetate considerably faster than the lactate-grown culture alone. However, it was not 

possible to fit a single set of kinetic parameters to the data. 

As the addition of an acetate-utilizing culture led to increased acetate utilization, it appears that the very 

low rate of acetate utilization in the original culture was due to the absence of acetate-degrading 

organisms. 

Effects of Metal Uptake on Biofilm Growth 

Biofilms exposed to Cd or Cu in the growth medium accumulated the metal sulphides. Metal sulphide 

uptake was accompanied by increased content of protein and polysaccharide content of the biofilm as 

well as its increased thickness. The increase in polysaccharide was considerably greater than of protein, 

so that it appeared that extracellular polysaccharide was secreted in response to the accumulation of metal 

sulphides in the biofilm. The accumulated metal sulphides were concentrated in the upper part of the 

biofilm and resulted in increased biofilm thickness, but the depth of active (fluorescein diacetate-staining) 

biofilm remained the same (approximately 500 μm) in metal-loaded biofilms. Metal sulphide deposits 

could, however, overlie the active cells in metal-loaded biofilms, which indicates that these deposits did 

not obstruct diffusion of nutrients to the biofilm. 

5. METAL PRECIPITATION STUDIES 

5.1 Metal (Cd and Cu) Bioprecipitation 

The kinetics and metal mass-balances of Cd and Cu bioprecipitation were studied using the biocell 

system. After flushing sulphide from the system, the appearance of soluble sulphide in the medium was 

rapid in the absence of metals but was delayed, in the presence of Cd or Cu. The apparent "shortfall" of 

sulphide was stoichiometric with the metal added to the medium, which was consistent with metal 

sulphide formation. However, not all of the metal sulphide formed was immediately precipitated, as some 

remained dispersed as colloidal material. A method of fractionating the metal into soluble, colloidal and 

precipitated fractions was developed and the time-course of formation and transformation of these 

fractions was investigated, this indicated that colloid flocculation to form precipitated solids was 

relatively slow compared to sulphide formation and appeared to be rate-limiting for the overall 

bioprecipitation process. Data on sulphate reduction, sulphide formation and colloid flocculation was used 

to parameterize and test a mathematical model that confirmed the rate-limiting nature of the flocculation 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

63 

step. In continuous culture, with a hydraulic residence time of 5 h, both Cd and Cu were precipitated. At 

metal concentrations used in batch experiments (250 μM), almost all metal was precipitated with a small 

colloidal phase and almost no remaining dissolved metal At 500 and 1000 μM metal a similar result was 

observed but with more of the metal remaining in solution and a similar percentage (approximately 5-

10%) in the colloidal phase. It therefore appeared that the processes occurring in a continuous culture 

system were similar to those occurring in batch culture and that the residence time allowed significant 

flocculation of the colloidal material to take place. Although it is clearly an important component, the 

occurrence of a significant colloidal phase in metal sulphide bioprecipitation is a novel observation that 

does not appear to have been previously reported. 

5.2 Iron Precipitation 

The degree of iron sulphide formation by the biofilm (not previously exposed to FeSO4) was found to 

depend upon the initial FeSO4 loading of the medium, with a saturating concentration 0.5mM FeSO4. 

Under these conditions 0.86mg/cm2

 of Fe was taken up by the biofilm, but this represented only 16% of 

that in the system the rest precipitated in the system tubing and reservoir because of the biogenic S- in 

solution. 

6. MEMBRANE STUDIES 

6.1 Permeable Membrane 

Investigations into the flow characterization of the 2.5mm sintered polyallomer PorvairTM permeable 

membrane showed that a 20-day-old (mature) biofilm made the membrane less permeable, but there was 

sufficient fluid flow to allow the biocell to be effective at metal removal. Copper sulphate was used as the 

test heavy metal, fed through the membrane along with the lactate for biofilm metabolism. At high flow 

rates through the permeable membrane (>0.05mil/min/cm2) copper sulphide formed a suspension and 

appeared in the waste stream, whereas at lower flow rates, where the contact time between the metal and 

biofilm was increased, the amount of copper sulphide in the waste stream was reduced to insignificant 

levels. 

6.2 Cross Flow Operation Using a Permeable Membrane 

The biocell was set up with two channels for recirculating liquor separated by a permeable membrane, 

which supported the growing biofilm. The two recirculating liquor streams were only connected via the 

permeable membrane. Two main processes were envisaged to transport material between these streams 

bulk- phase transvection due to a pressure difference between the sides of the biocell and diffusion. 

Experiments varying the pressure difference across the membrane showed that solutes supplied in the 

bulk-phase liquor were transported proportionally to the exchange of volume, implying that transvection 

was the main mechanism. However, sulphide produced by the biofilm was approximately equally 

distributed between both sides of the biocell even at low-pressure differentials, which produced no bulkphase movement. This indicated that the sulphide was transported out of the biofilm in both directions by 

diffusion. When a metabolically-active biofilm was grown on one side of the biocell and metal (Cd) 

solution was supplied on the other (sterile) side of the biocell, bioprecipitation of the Cd occurred, 

removing it from solution. Cd was not detected on the biofilm side of the cell so this arrangement, with 

the biofilm separated from the metal-containing stream by a membrane, permits separation of the metalcontaining and nutrient streams reducing any environmental risks from discharge of BOD in the form of 

nutrients or of toxicity to the biofilm from unprecipitated metals. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

64 

7. MODELING STUDIES 

7.1 Biofilm 

A model of the biological phenomena occurring within the sulphate reducing bacterial biofilms, has been 

developed. The model is based upon the Generalized Repository Model (GRM) developed by BNFL. The 

mechanistic model takes into account a complex microbiology based upon Monod type Kinetic, and 

incorporates chemical speciation based on the PHREEQE geochemical speciation package. The biofilm 

code allows the modeling of eight bacterial groups. All microbial groups in each biofilm layer are subject 

to growth and decay. Microbial growth is modeled via two groups of reactions, energy generating 

reactions and biomass generating reactions. Bacterial growth and substrate removal is modeled using 

Monod kinetics, in which substrate removal is related to biomass growth through the yield coefficient. 

Changes to the bulk chemistry due to microbial activity within the code are utilized as input data by the 

chemical speciation component of the code, PHREEQE. 

The main roles of PHREEQE are the modeling of mineral precipitation and dissolution, speciation of 

dissolved species, and calculation of the ambient pH. The PHREEQE database has been modified to 

include lactate and acetate species, which are of specific interest to this project. Species diffuse into the 

biofilm and an equilibrium is reached between adjacent compartments, (i.e., another biofilm layer or, in 

the case of the upper biofilm layer, the bulk liquid phase). Microbial degradation changes the 

concentration of species in the biofilm layers, and compounds diffuse in and out of the layers tending 

towards equilibrium. Whilst this is occurring the speciation component of the code determines the 

reaction path of the released species. 

Speciation is carried out in the bulk liquid phase, and each of the individual biofilm layers. The rate at 

which microbial degradation and speciation occur determines the compartment in which the minerals 

precipitate Species which become incorporated in a mineral phase, by precipitation, remain in that 

compartment and are not subject to diffusion. The inclusion of advection allows a series of model cells to 

be connected, allowing a range of experimental and environmental situations to be modeled. After each 

time step (time taken for speciation, diffusion, and microbiology), species are able to enter and leave the 

model cells, via adjacent model cells, or an external route. 

Microbial growth within each layer is dependent on the diffusion of substrate. The model is based upon a 

single, or series of model cells, containing a gas phase, bulk liquid phase, biofilm and a substratum. 

The model has been success fully applied to results produced by the University of Dundee. It was possible 

to model the utilization of lactate and sulphate within the biofilm, and the precipitation of cadmium 

sulphide with a high degree of success. At present the model has had a limited application, as modeling 

the BNFL biocell experiments has not utilized the bulk of the models capabilities. 

A number of biofilm models are reported in current literature, however none include an extensive 

microbiology and such a comprehensive speciation component. The model may be applied to further 

modeling tasks in the future, taking advantage of the full extent of it capabilities. 

7.2 Bioreactor Configuration 

From the point of view of engineering design, the project has disclosed the following new information: 

A. Kinetics 

At the start of the project, only one paper was available on tentative reaction kinetics in SRB systems. 

This project has shown that: 

1. Sulphide production is zero order in sulphate concentration and exhibits a Monod rate dependence on 

carbon substrate composition (ignoring complications from acetate utilization), 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

65 

2. The biofilm kinetics do not alter substantially as the film grows, supporting modeling work presented 

in the literature on non-SRB systems that there is a constant, active biofilm thickness, 

3. Sulphide production rate does not appear to be affected by the adsorption of insoluble sulphides, and 

kinetics are dependent on intrinsic kinetics with little effect of diffusional mass transfer in the film, 

4. As a consequence of the above, a simple form for the local kinetics at a point in a reactor is possible, 

thereby reducing the computational complexity of previous literature models. 

B. Metal Precipitation 

The form of the precipitation of metal sulphide is very important as it exerts a profound effect on reactor 

performance and the design of ancillaries to remove insolubles from the reactor outlet stream. This was 

not realized at the outset of the project and has not, hitherto, been discussed or analyzed in the literature. 

Nonetheless, the experimental and theoretical work in the project has: 

1. Allowed estimates of the rate of flocculation of colloidal material to be made (which do not appear to 

be substantially affected by the presence of the biofilm), 

2. Allowed estimates of the rate of biofilm capture of colloidal material to be made, and 

3. Has shown the conditions under which metal precipitation occurs predominantly either within the 

biofilm or in the free solution outside the film. 

C. Reactor Modeling 

The few reactor models for SRB systems in the literature have used very complex biofilm kinetics and 

have not considered practical issues such as flocculation and precipitation. A simple reactor model has 

been constructed which could be used immediately to interpret the results from a pilot-scale reactor. It 

demonstrates that very careful process control is important in order to achieve the stringent targets with 

regard to both soluble sulphide concentration and soluble metal concentration in the discharged stream. 

The model indicates the great sensitivity of the quality of the discharged stream to changes in key 

parameters.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

66 

Project No. 11

 Predicting the Potential for Natural Attenuation of Organic Contaminants in Groundwater

Location

Operational coal tar processing and 

organic chemicals manufacturing plant, 

West Midlands, U.K. 

Project Status

Final report 

Media

Groundwater 

Technology Type

Intrinsic 

bioremediation, 

natural attenuation 

Project Dates

Accepted 1998

Final Report 1999

Contaminants

Coal tars, phenol, cresols, xylenols, 

BTEX 

Technical Contact

Dr. Steve Thornton, 

Groundwater Protection & Restoration 

Group 

Dept. of Civil & Structural Engineering 

University of Sheffield, Mappin St. 

SHEFFIELD S1 3JD 

United Kingdom 

Tel: 0114 222 5744 

Fax: 0114 222 5700 

E-mail: s.f.thornton@sheffield.ac.uk 

Costs Documented?

Not applicable 

Project Size

Not applicable 

Results Available?

Yes 

Project 11 was completed in 1999. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Natural attenuation is an emerging technology, which uses natural biological and chemical processes 

occurring in aquifers to reduce contaminants to acceptable levels. The technology has been used 

successfully in shallow North American aquifers but has not been developed for the deep, fractured, 

consolidated aquifer systems found in the U.K. Technical protocols are available which provide a basis 

for the performance assessment of monitored natural attenuation schemes (Buscheck and O'Reilly, 1995; 

OSWER, 1997). These have primarily evolved from studies of petroleum hydrocarbon and chlorinated 

solvent spills at sites in North America. However, there is little provision within these protocols for 

interpretation of natural attenuation within the hydrogeological settings and range of contaminated sites 

found in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The U.K. has a legacy of contaminated industrial sites located 

on deep, consolidated, dual-porosity aquifers and groundwater pollution from these sites often results in 

the development of complex plumes. 

The application of natural attenuation technology requires that there is a framework in place for the robust 

assessment of its performance at individual sites. This framework needs to incorporate appropriate 

strategies for monitoring natural attenuation processes in situ and predicting the potential for natural 

attenuation at field scale. 

Coal-gasification plants are an important source of soil and groundwater pollution in the U.K. Pollutant 

streams from these facilities typically contain a wide variety of organic and inorganic compounds (e.g., 

phenolic compounds and NH4), usually at very high concentration. These phenolic compounds are 

normally biodegradable under a range of redox conditions (Suflita et al., 1989; Klecka, et al., 1990; 

Rudolphi, et al., 1991). However, in comparison with other groups of organic pollutants our 

understanding of the fate of pollutants from coal-gasification plants in U.K. aquifers is poor. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The research site is an operational coal-tar processing and phenols manufacturing plant, constructed in 

1950, and situated in the U.K. West Midlands. The plant is located on a deep, unconfined, fractured, 

Permo-Triassic sandstone aquifer and has contaminated the groundwater with a range of phenolic 

compounds, including phenol, cresols, xylenols and BTEX, some at concentrations up to 12,500 mg l-1. 

The aquifer is naturally aerobic, calcareous at depth and contains abundant Fe and Mn oxides as grain 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

67 

coatings. Groundwater levels are shallow (typically <5 mbgl) and the aquifer is 250 m thick in the 

vicinity of the site. Groundwater flow is 4-11 m y-1. The current volume of the plume is about 3 million 

m3

. The total concentration of organic compounds in the plume source area is presently 24,800 mg l-1, 

including 12,500 mg 1-1 phenol. Site history and groundwater flow patterns suggest that spillages started 

soon after construction of the plant, that is, the plume is 50 years old. These spillages include mixtures of 

organic compounds and mineral acids, the latter giving rise to a SO4 plume with concentrations up to 449 

mg l-1. There is no information to indicate when spillages stopped, although the plume remains anchored 

by a strong source. The only receptor at risk is a public supply borehole, located approximately 2 km west 

of the plant and >100 y travel time from the present plume. 

The project objectives are (a), to understand processes controlling the natural attenuation of a complex 

mixture of organic pollutants in a U.K. sandstone aquifer, (b), to develop practical techniques to estimate 

the potential for natural attenuation and (c), to understand the value of intervening to increase attenuation. 

The key research issues are (a), estimating the timing and duration of degradation, (b), understanding the 

degradation processes and potential inhibitors, (c), quantifying the role of mineral oxidants in 

degradation, (d), assessing the supply of soluble electron acceptors from dispersion and diffusion at the 

plume fringe, and (e), assessing the contribution of fermentation to degradation. 

The project is funded primarily by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and 

Environment Agency, with additional contributions from the UK Natural Environment Research Council 

through affiliated projects. The project began in September 1996, in collaboration with the British 

Geological Survey, Institute of Freshwater Ecology and University of Leeds, and is 3 years duration. 

Industrial collaborators include Laporte Inspec, BP, SAGTA and Aspinwall & Co. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

Simultaneous field investigations, laboratory studies and reactive transport modeling have been initiated 

and are ongoing. The field studies have focused on characterization of the baseline groundwater 

hydrochemistry and microbiology in the plume. This was undertaken to identify spatial and temporal 

variations in the distribution of contaminants, redox processes, dissolved gases, microbial population 

activity and diversity. Two comprehensive groundwater quality surveys have been completed for the suite 

of 25 monitoring boreholes installed by consultants responsible for the site investigation (Aspinwall & 

Co., 1992). A basic conceptual process model of contaminant attenuation was developed with this data. 

High-resolution multilevel groundwater samplers (MLS) have been developed and installed in the plume 

at 130 m and 350 m from the site, to depths of 30 m and 45 m below ground level, respectively. These 

devices provide a vertical profile through contaminated and uncontaminated sections of the aquifer at a 

level of detail unobtainable with the existing borehole network. The MLS boreholes have been used to 

quantify solute fluxes, degradation rates, redox processes, and identify environmental controls on 

degradation in the plume. The MLS have been sampled at quarterly intervals over a year to monitor 

changes in plume redox conditions and microbial population dynamics in response to water table 

fluctuations in the aquifer. A rock core was recovered anaerobically from the aquifer, adjacent to one of 

the MLS boreholes, to provide material as inoculum for laboratory process studies, for examination of 

microbial ecology, for analysis of metal oxide and silicate mineralogy, and for stable isotope 

characterization of reduced sulphide and carbonate minerals. 

Laboratory microcosm studies using acclimated groundwater and aquifer sediment are in progress to 

examine the degradation rates of phenolic mixtures under the range of redox and environmental 

conditions found in the plume. The scope of these process studies is wide and includes an assessment of 

degradation coupled to different aqueous and solid phase oxidants, identifying the contribution of 

fermentation to degradation and understanding the broad controls on degradation (e.g., oxidant 

bioavailability and contaminant toxicity). Different redox systems were established in the microcosms 

under different contaminant concentrations in order to understand the timing and extent of degradation. 

Initially, aquifer sediment incubated under different redox conditions in boreholes at the site was used as 

inocula in the microcosms. Additional process studies are now in progress using rock core material 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

68 

recovered from the aquifer. These will examine the spatial variability in aquifer degradation potential, and 

quantify the bioavailability of mineral oxidants in degradation along a vertical profile through the plume. 

Microbiological analysis of groundwater and aquifer sediment samples has focused on understanding the 

spatial and temporal variability in the diversity and activity of indigenous microbial populations. These 

variations have been compared for the range of redox conditions and contaminant concentrations found in 

the plume, to refine the process model developed from the hydrochemical data and to understand the 

broad environmental controls on microbial ecology and aquifer potential for contaminant degradation. 

Reactive transport modeling of biodegradation processes in the plume is ongoing. An initial modeling 

study was undertaken with the biodegradation code, BIOREDOX, to test the conceptual process model of 

the plume and to identify additional modeling objectives. Further transport modeling is now underway in 

collaboration with the University of Waterloo in Canada, using a more advanced code. The necessary 

parameter values, rate data and processes required for modeling are obtained from the laboratory and field 

studies. This will provide an independent assessment of the utility of the approach in predicting 

contaminant fate at field scale. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Groundwater samples have been collected, anaerobically, for analysis of organic contaminants, dissolved 

gases (e.g., N2, CO2, CH4), major cations, major anions, organic and inorganic (e.g., total inorganic 

carbon, Fe2+, Mn2+, S2-) metabolites of phenolic compound degradation, nutrients, 34S/32S-SO4, 34S/32S-S2-, 13C/12C-CO3

2-, 18O/16O-SO4, organically-complexed and organically-uncomplexed Fe, and microbiological parameters. Samples have been collected concurrently for analysis of these determinands on 

each groundwater survey, to provide time-series data for comparison. Geochemical modeling of the 

groundwater quality data has been completed to identify potential sinks for inorganic products of 

biodegradation and to refine a carbon mass balance for the plume. 

Microbiological analysis has included enumeration of total and culturable bacteria. Direct measures of in 

situ degradation potential have been made on groundwater and aquifer sediment samples by stimulation 

with NO3 and addition of radiolabeled phenol compounds and other aromatic hydrocarbons. Microbial 

diversity has been assessed after inoculation of samples with different nutritional tests. 

Rock core samples have been analyzed for oxidation capacity (OXC) and mineral phases (e.g., iron 

sulphides, metal oxides, carbonates and aluminosilicates). Permeameter tests and analyses of mineral 

phase 34S/32S-S2- and 13C/12C-CO3

2

- stable isotopes have also been performed on core samples. 

5. RESULTS 

The range of redox and microbial processes identified in the plume has demonstrated the aquifer potential 

for aerobic and anaerobic degradation of the organic contaminants. Contaminant degradation is occurring 

under aerobic, nitrate-reducing, iron/manganese-reducing, sulphate-reducing, and methanogenic 

conditions, at contaminant concentrations up to 24,000 mg L-1. Degradation rates and microbial activity 

are highly variable and are correlated with contaminant concentrations and electron acceptor availability 

in the plume. There is increased microbial activity, diversity and degradation at the plume fringe, in 

response to the increased flux of dissolved oxygen and nitrate from the background groundwater and 

dilution of contaminant concentrations. The supply of aqueous oxidants and dilution of contaminants are 

controlled by mechanical dispersion at the plume fringe. The mixing zone over which this dispersion 

occurs is relatively small (2 m) for the plume under study. A carbon and electron acceptor mass balance 

for the plume has constrained the plume source term and suggests that degradation has not been 

significant within much of the plume (Thornton et al., 1998). The mass balance suggests that dissolved 

oxygen and nitrate, supplied by dispersion, are more important for contaminant mass turnover in the 

plume than other degradation processes. The stable isotope studies show that a contaminant threshold 

concentration exists for the initiation of sulphate reduction in the plume, although other degradation 

processes appear relatively insensitive to the organic pollutant load. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

69 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Not available. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Not available. 

8. COSTS 

Not available. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

A combination of methodologies has been developed to assess the potential for natural attenuation of 

organic contaminants at this site. These methodologies include theoretical approaches and practical, fieldbased, technology which provides an improved framework for understanding the behaviour of complex 

plumes in aquifers. Contaminant fate in this aquifer system is controlled by a complex plume source 

history and spatial variations in the aquifer degradation potential, as influenced by contaminant 

concentration and the bioavailability of oxidants. Source history has a greater impact on contaminant 

concentrations in this aquifer than degradation processes. The field and laboratory studies show that 

contaminant mass loss can be demonstrated for the range of environmental conditions found in the plume. 

However, although the phenolic compounds are biodegradable and the aquifer is not oxidant limited, the 

plume is likely to grow under the present conditions. This is because contaminant concentrations remain 

toxic to degradation in much of the plume core and the supply of aqueous oxidants, via mixing with 

uncontaminated groundwater, is insufficient to meet the demand from the plume. Natural attenuation of 

these organic pollutants in this system is therefore likely to increase only after increased dilution of the 

plume. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Aspinwall & Co. (1992). Site Investigation at Synthetic Chemicals Limited, Four Ashes: Phase 6 

Report 

2. Borden, R. C., Gomez, C. A. and Becker, M. T. (1995). Geochemical indicators of intrinsic 

bioremediation. Ground Water, 33, 180-189. 

3. Buscheck, T. and O' Reilly, K. (1995). Protocol for monitoring intrinsic bioremediation in 

groundwater. Chevron Research and Technology Company, pp. 20. 

4. Klecka, G. M., Davis, J. W., Gray, D. R. and Madsen, S. S. (1990). Natural bioremediation of organic 

contaminants in ground water: Cliff-Dow Superfund site. Ground Water, 28, 534-543. 

5. OSWER (1997). Use of Monitored Natural Attenuation at Superfund, RCRA Corrective Action, and 

Underground Storage Tank Sites, Directive 9200.4-17, USEPA. 

6. Rudolphi, A., Tschech, A. and Fuchs, G. (1991). Anaerobic degradation of cresols by denitrifying 

bacteria. Archives of Microbiology, 155, 238-248. 

7. Suflita, J. M., Liang, L. and Saxena, A. (1989). The anaerobic biodegradation of o-, m- and p-cresol 

by sulfate-reducing bacterial enrichment cultures obtained from a shallow anoxic aquifer. Journal of 

Industrial Microbiology, 4, 255-266. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

70 

Project No. 12

Treatability Test for Enhanced In Situ Anaerobic Dechlorination 

Location 

Cape Canaveral Air Station, FL 

Naval Air Station Alameda, CA 

Fort Lewis, WA 

Camp Lejeune, SC 

Project Status 

Demonstration 

complete 

Demonstration 

complete 

Demonstration 

complete 

Demonstration in 

progress

Media 

Groundwater 

Technology Type 

In situ 

bioremediation 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1999

Final Report 2002

Contaminants 

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), 

trichloroethylene (TCE), 

dichloroethene (DCE), vinyl chloride 

Technical Contact 

Capt. Dave Kempisty 

AFRL/MLQ 

139 Barnes Drive, Suite 2 

Tyndall AFB, FL 32403 

Tel: 850-283-6126 

Fax: 850-283-6064 

E-mail: david.kempisty@tyndall.af.mil

Andrea Leeson 

DoD SERDP/ESTCP 

Cleanup Program Manager 

901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 303 

Arlington, VA 22203 

Tel: (703) 696-2118 

Fax: (703) 696-2114 

E-mail: andrea.leeson@osd.mil

Costs Documented? 

Spring 2002 

Project Size 

Field 

Treatability 

Testing 

Results Available? 

Spring 2002 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Chloroethene compounds, such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), have been widely 

used for a variety of industrial purposes. Past disposal practices, accidental spills, and a lack of 

understanding of the fate of these chemicals in the environment have led to widespread contamination at 

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and industrial facilities. Enhanced anaerobic dechlorination is a very 

promising bioremediation treatment approach for remediating chlorinated ethene-contaminated 

groundwater. The goal of this effort is to develop and validate a comprehensive approach for conducting a 

treatability test to determine the potential for applying reductive anaerobic biological in situ treatment 

technology (RABITT) at any specific site. A treatability protocol has been written (Morse, 1998) and will 

be applied to five DoD chlorinated solvent contamination sites in the United States. Based on the field 

test results, the protocol will be revised as needed upon completion of the effort. 

2. BACKGROUND 

Because both PCE and TCE are stable compounds that resist aerobic degradation or require the presence 

of an electron-donating co-contaminant for anaerobic transformation, these compounds tend to persist in 

the environment. However, in reductive systems, highly oxidized contaminants (e.g., PCE) can be utilized 

as electron acceptors. RABITT attempts to stimulate this reductive pathway by supplying excess reduced 

substrate (electron donor) to the native microbial consortium. The presence of the substrate expedites the 

exhaustion of any naturally occurring electron acceptors. As the natural electron acceptors are depleted, 

microorganisms capable of discharging electrons to other available electron acceptors, such as oxidized 

contaminants, gain a selective advantage. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

71 

The reductive dechlorination of PCE to ethene proceeds through a series of hydrogenolysis reactions 

shown in Figure 1. Each reaction becomes progressively more difficult to carry out. 

Figure 1: Reductive Dechlorination of PCE 

The selection of an appropriate electron donor may be the most important design parameter for 

developing a healthy population of microorganisms capable of dechlorinating PCE and TCE. Recent 

studies have indicated a prominent role for molecular hydrogen (H2) in the reductive dechlorination 

process (Holliger et al., 1993; DiStefano et al., 1992; Maymo-Gatell et al., 1995; Gossett et al., 1994; 

Zinder and Gossett, 1995). Most known dechlorinators can use H2 as an electron donor, and some can 

only use H2. Because more complex electron donors are broken down into metabolites and residual pools 

of H2 by other members of the microbial community, they may also be used to support dechlorination 

(Fennell et al., 1997; Smatlak et al., 1996; DiStefano et al., 1992). 

The rate and quantity of H2 made available to a degrading consortium must be carefully engineered to 

limit competition for hydrogen from other microbial groups, such as methanogens and sulfate-reducers. 

Competition for H2 by methanogens is a common cause of dechlorination failure in laboratory studies. As 

the methanogen population increases, the portion of reducing equivalents used for dechlorination quickly 

drops and methane production increases (Gossett et al., 1994; Fennel et al., 1997). The use of slowly 

degrading nonmethanogenic substrates will help prevent this type of system shutdown. 

Because of the complex microbial processes involved in anaerobic dechlorination, thorough site 

characterization and laboratory microcosm testing are an important part of the RABITT protocol. The 

protocol presents a phased or tiered approach to the treatability test, allowing the user to screen out 

RABITT in the early stages of the process to save time and cost. The protocol guides the user through a 

decision process in which information is collected and evaluated to determine if the technology should be 

given further consideration. RABITT would be screened out if it is determined that site-specific 

characteristics, regulatory constraints, or other logistic problems suggest that the technology will be 

difficult or impossible to employ, or if competing technology clearly is superior. 

The first phase of the treatability test includes a thorough review of existing site data to develop a 

conceptual model of the site. The protocol contains a rating system that can be used to assess the 

suitability of a site for RABITT testing. The rating system is based on an analysis of the contaminant, 

hydrogeologic, and geochemical profiles of the site. The decision to proceed with the RABITT screening 

process should be supported by data indicating that the site meets the requirements for successful 

technology application. The second phase of the approach involves selecting a candidate test plot location 

within the plume for more detailed site characterization. Characterization activities will examine 

contaminant, geochemical, and hydrogeologic parameters on a relatively small scale to determine the 

selected location’s suitability as a RABITT test plot. Based on the information generated during the 

characterization of the test plot, a decision is made to proceed to phase three of the treatability study, 

which consists of conducting laboratory microcosm studies. The microcosm studies are conducted to 

determine what electron donor/nutrient formulation should be field-tested to provide optimum biological 

degradation performance. If the results from the microcosm testing indicate that reductive dechlorination 

does not occur in response to the addition of electron donors and/or nutrients, the technology is eliminated 

from further consideration. The fourth and final phase of the treatability test entails field testing the 

electron donor/nutrient formulation determined in the laboratory microcosm tests to be most effective for 

supporting biologically mediated reductive dechlorination. The data from this phased treatability test 

indicate the potential for the microbiological component of RABITT and are used to make the decision to 

proceed to pilot-scale or full-scale implementation of RABITT. 

PCE TCE DCEs VC ETH

C C

Cl

Cl

2H HCl

C C

H

Cl

Cl

Cl

2H HCl

C C

H

Cl

H

Cl

2H

C C

H

Cl

H

H

2H

C C

H

H

H

H

Cl

Cl

HCl HCl
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

72 

This effort consists of applying the protocol to five chlorinated solvent contamination sites. Currently the 

field treatability test systems are operating at two locations, Cape Canaveral Air Station, FL, and Naval 

Air Station Alameda, CA. Microcosm studies will begin in August 1999, using contaminated aquifer 

material from a site at Ft Lewis, WA which is the proposed location for site number three. The fourth and 

fifth field locations are yet to be determined. 

3. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

A summary of soil and groundwater analytes is presented here. For detailed information on sample 

collection techniques or analytical methods, please refer to Morse, et al. 1998. 

A. Site Characterization Activities 

 Soil cores are visually examined for soil type and stratigraphy. In addition, soil core subsamples are sent 

to an off-site laboratory and analyzed for VOCs, TOC, and Total Iron. Groundwater samples are analyzed 

for the following parameters: dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, Fe+2, conductivity, chloroethenes, 

dissolved organic carbon, ammonia, CH4, C2H4, C2H6, NO3, NO2, SO4, Cl, Br, alkalinity, and total iron. 

B. Performance Monitoring of the Field Test Cell 

Table 1 presents the performance monitoring parameters and their measurement frequency during fieldtesting. 

Table 1: Performance Monitoring Parameters 

Parameter 

Measurement 

Site Measurement Frequency 

TCE, cis-DCE, VC, ethene Lab Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

Volatile Fatty Acids (electron 

donor) 

Lab Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

Bromide Field and Lab Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

Dissolved Oxygen Field Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

pH Field Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

Conductivity Field Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

Fe+2 Field Initial, baseline, and biweekly 

CH4, C2H4, C2H6 Lab Baseline and monthly 

NO3, NO2, SO4, Cl Lab Baseline and monthly 

Alkalinity Lab Baseline and monthly 

4. RESULTS 

4.1 Site 1: Cape Canaveral Air Station, FL 

Description: Facility 1381, the Ordnance Support Facility at Cape Canaveral Air Station, contains a 

shallow, 110-acre volatile organic compound (VOC) plume consisting primarily of TCE, DCE, and VC. 

Improper disposal of solvents used for cleaning and degreasing operations contributed to this groundwater 

contamination plume. Field data suggest that TCE is naturally being dechlorinated to DCE and 

subsequently to VC. Each of these contaminants has been detected in a surface water body adjacent to the 

site. 

The geology at the site is characterized by poorly sorted coarse to fine sands and shell material from 

ground surface to approximately 35 ft below ground surface (bgs). From approximately 35 to 50 ft bgs, 

sands show a decrease in grain size and the silt and clay content increases. From 48.5 to 51 ft bgs, a 

continuous clay unit appears to underlie the entire area at Facility 1381. Groundwater at the site is very 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

73 

shallow, generally ranging between 4 and 7 ft bgs. The hydraulic conductivity for the shallow 

groundwater has been determined to be approximately 88.7 ft/day. The pH of the groundwater ranged 

from 6.87 to 8.14 and conductivity readings ranged from 464 to 5,550 μmhos/cm. The groundwater flow 

velocity has been calculated to be 0.21 ft/day. The suspected source area contains high levels of TCE (up 

to 342 mg/L), but TCE concentrations drop off quickly and only DCE and VC are detected towards the 

edges of the plume. 

A. Microcosms

Microcosm studies at Cape Canaveral showed that all organic electron donors evaluated (lactate, butyrate, 

propionate, benzoate, and yeast extract amendment) promoted enhanced dechlorination of the 2 mg/L 

TCE, 10 mg/L cDCE and 1.5 mg/L VC present in the site groundwater. Lactate was selected for the 

electron donor to be used in the field-testing. 

Figure 2 illustrates lessons learned from conducting microcosm studies. Upon the addition of lactate and 

vitamin B12 with no yeast extract, levels of TCE and cDCE show no significant signs of reduction. 

Alternatively, the addition of yeast extract along with lactate and vitamin B12 facilitated the onset of and 

completion of the dechlorination process. 

Figure 2: Degradation of Chlorinated Compounds under Various Conditions: Cape Canaveral Air Station 

Aquifer Material 

CCAS Microcosm 5C-II (GPW09/10) Lactate + B12 

CCAS Microcosm 5D-I (GPW06) Lactate +YE + B12(Triplicates Similar)

B. Field Study 

The standard RABITT design was modified for the site at Cape Canaveral Air Station in order to meet the 

State of Florida Underground Injection Control regulatory requirements. This regulation does not allow 

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Donors and Products

(CO 2 μeq/Bottle)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Time (Day)

Lactic Acid Acetic Acid Propionic Acid 

0

10

20

30

Ethenes

(μmol/Bottle)

TCE cis DCE

Lactate Amendment

0

3000

6000

9000

12000

Donors and Products

(CO 2 μeq/Bottle)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Time (Day)

Lactic Acid Acetic Acid Propionic Acid 

0

25

50

75

Ethenes

(μmol/Bottle)

VC ETH

TCE cis DCE

Lactate Amendment
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

74 

for reinjection of contaminated groundwater. The objective of the modified system was to allow for 

effective delivery and distribution of nutrients and electron donors and to provide for extensive 

monitoring and hydraulic control, without pumping groundwater aboveground. The modified system was 

installed at Facility 1381 in March 1999 and operated for six months. 

The modified design consisted of two communicating wells, a series of 13 tri-level groundwater 

monitoring probes, and upgradient and downgradient monitoring wells. The system wells are a dual 

screen design, with one operating in an upflow mode and the other in a downflow mode. Each well was 

screened within two distinct zones (10-12.5 and 17.5-20 ft bgs). The wells are placed close enough to 

affect each other with the effluent from one well feeding the other. This results in groundwater circulation 

that can be used to mix and distribute the electron donor/nutrient formulation. Tri-level monitoring points 

were screened in three zones that covered similar depths and an intermediate zone. The monitoring probes 

were positioned around the treatment cell to provide three-dimensional data that was required to track the 

tracer and added electron donor/nutrients, calculate mass reductions during treatment, and evaluate gains 

and losses from the treatment cell through background groundwater migration. The monitored plot 

dimensions were 39 ft by 10 ft. 

After initial tracer testing established the site hydrological conditions, lactic acid was injected into the 

communicating well system to maintain an initial groundwater concentration of 3 mM lactate. The total 

system pumping rate was approximately 2,880 gal/day (7.6 L min). 

Figure 3: Degradation of Chlorinated Compounds during Field Testing at Cape Canaveral 

Cape Canaveral field-testing showed rapid dechlorination of TCE and cDCE to VC, followed by slower 

subsequent dechlorination to ethene under the established sulfate reducing to methanogenic conditions 

(Figure 3). Molecular probing indicated the presence of a dechlorinating organism similar to 

Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, an organism that has been shown to promote complete dechlorination with 

slow removal of VC. The treatment demonstrated reduction of TCE, cDCE, and VC by 88.7%, 90.6%, 

and 66.3%, respectively. The ethene concentration increased significantly to approximately 0.04 mM, but 

good molar balances were not possible due to diffusion. Overall, there was reasonable agreement between 

laboratory microcosm and field results. 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180

Time (Days)

Average Concentration (

μ M)

TCE

cDCE

VC

ETH

Begin 

Donor 

Injection
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

75 

4.2 Site 2: Naval Air Station Alameda, CA 

A. Site Description 

Building 360 (Site 4) at Naval Air Station Alameda was selected for the second demonstration. This 

building has been used as an aircraft engine repair and testing facility, and consisted of former machine 

shops, cleaning areas, as well as plating and welding shops and parts assembly areas. Solvents used in the 

cleaning shop of Building 360 have included a mixture of 55% PCE and other chemicals such as 

dichlorobenzene, methylene chloride, toluene and 30 to 70% solutions of sodium hydroxide. Site 

characterization activities performed by the facility revealed elevated levels of chlorinated solvents, 

primarily TCE (24 mg/L), DCE (8.6 mg/L), and VC (2.2 mg/L), between 5.5 and 15.5 feet bgs. 

Depth to groundwater in the Building 360 area ranges between 4.4 feet and 6.5 feet bgs. Aquifer testing 

yielded hydraulic conductivity values from 1.22 x 10-3 to 3.86 x 10-3 cm/sec. The estimated groundwater 

flow is very low at only 1.1 x 10-5 cm/sec or 11.4 ft/year. It appears that groundwater in this area is very 

nearly stagnant. 

B. Microcosms 

Microcosms showed that all electron donors tested except benzoate promoted enhanced dechlorination of 

TCE. Butyrate was chosen for field injection because of a shorter lag time associated with stimulating 

dechlorinating activity. TCE was rapidly dechlorinated to ethene under the established sulfate reducing to 

methanogenic conditions when supplied with a constant 3 mM supply of butyrate in the injected 

groundwater obtained from the supply well. Molecular probing to date has been negative for D. 

ethenogenes; however, recent data indicates that a closely related species may be present at the site. 

C. Field Study 

After baseline sampling and tracer testing, injection of butyric acid began in June 1999 using a flow 

through system. The field test involved an upgradient injection well and downgradient extraction well 

with aboveground recirculation. The injection well was supplemented with TCE-contaminated 

groundwater from a separate supply well outside the influence of the 3-ft by 15-ft monitored plot. The 

injection, extraction, and nine monitoring wells were all screened between 24 and 27 ft bgs. The total 

pumping rate for the system was 236 gal/day (0.62 L/min). Butyric acid and yeast extract were added to 

maintain initial in situ concentrations of 3mM and 20 mg/L respectively. 

Injected groundwater contained average TCE, cDCE, and VC concentrations of 81.7 μM, 7.0 μM, and 3.4 

μM respectively. By the end of the demonstration, the average TCE concentration observed in the 

treatment zone had been reduced by 94% despite the continuing input of TCE (Figure 4). In addition, both 

cDCE and VC were on the decline; ethene levels were steadily increasing and accounted for 

approximately half of the total chloroethene concentration. On average, 87% of injected chloroethenes 

could be accounted for during sampling events. Good agreement between microcosm and field results 

was also observed for the Alameda site. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

76 

Figure 4: Degradation of Chlorinated Compounds during Field Testing at NAS Alameda 

4.3 Site 3: Fort Lewis, WA 

A. Site Description 

The East Gate Disposal Yard (EGDY) covers approximately 29 acres at Ft Lewis, WA. Aerial 

photographs indicate that between 1940 and 1971 the EGDY was used as a storage and disposal site for 

various solid and liquid wastes. The photographic evidence shows that the wastes were disposed of in 

large trenches and pits and that, on occasion, the waste materials were burned. Waste materials disposed 

of at the EGDY include TCE and petroleum, oil, and lubricant wastes from equipment cleaning and 

degreasing activities conducted at the Fort Lewis Logistics Center. 

The depth to groundwater at the EGDY Site is approximately 10 feet bgs. Background groundwater 

velocities across the EGDY are in the range of 0.25 to 0.75 feet per day in the field test location. TCE, 

cDCE, VC, and BTEX constituents have been detected in groundwater samples from the EGDY Site. Of 

these, TCE and cDCE are most prevalent. Data from a previous investigation indicated that reductive 

dechlorination may be occurring in the area, but that the process is held up at cDCE. 

B. Microcosms 

Dechlorination in the Ft. Lewis microcosms was markedly slower than anticipated based on previous 

results with samples collected from Alameda Point and Cape Canaveral (Figure 5). The initial dose of 

TCE was removed from all of the amended, biotic reactors; however, formation of VC and complete 

conversion to ethene occurred in only a few bottles after 292 days of monitoring. The two amendments 

that did result in complete conversion to ethene in two of the three replicates were butyrate and high 

concentrations of yeast extract. Because the observed degradation of butyrate is slow, it appears to 

provide a relatively steady, long-term supply of electron equivalents for use. 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230

Time (Days)

Average Concentration (

μM)

TCE

DCE

VC

ethene

Total

Begin Donor 

Injection
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

77 

The single, most important factor influencing dechlorination—both lag and extent—was probably the low 

native levels of TCE in the materials from which these microcosm sets were created. In the majority of 

bottles, there was a consistently long lag time observed prior to the initiation of cDCE dechlorination. 

However, once cDCE dechlorination activity began, it was generally followed by concurrent 

transformation of VC to ethene. These patterns suggest that the transformation of TCE was mediated by 

different organisms than those responsible for cDCE and VC dechlorination. This type of pattern is 

consistent with the presence of a dechlorinating population in which Dehalococcoides ethenogenes is not 

the dominant member. 

Figure 5: Microcosm Results, Ft. Lewis, WA 

C. Field Study 

A conventional RABITT test system (shown in Figure 6.1 on page 54 of the draft RABITT protocol) was 

installed at Fort Lewis, with the exception that the gradient well was removed from the design based on 

the results of the tracer test and the measured gradient in the selected area. The three injection wells are 

spaced approximately 2 feet apart and the distances between the injection wells and each row of 

monitoring wells are 10 feet for a plot dimension of approximately 4 feet by 30 feet. A background 

monitoring well was installed upgradient of the plot to monitor any naturally occurring changes in 

background contaminant and geochemical profiles. An existing well in a contaminated area was used to 

provide the required supply of contaminated groundwater for injection into the test plot. The injected fluid 

imparts a gradient, which drives the flow of groundwater through the system. 

Initial TCE concentrations across the test plot ranged from 11.0 to 47.9 μM (1,450 to 6,300 ppb). Injected 

groundwater initially contained moderately higher levels that tended to increase over the first 13 weeks of 

the demonstration from a low of 39.6 μM (5,200 ppb) at system startup to 148 μM (19,400 ppb) at 13 

weeks. TCE concentrations remained within this range until Week 24 when concentrations spiked 

Ft. Lewis Microcosm 6-II Butyrate + YE + B12 

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Ethenes 

(μmol/Bottle)

TCE cis DCE

VC ETH

Total VOCs

0

3000

6000

9000

12000

Donors and Products

(CO

2

μeq/Bottle)

0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280

Time (Day)

Butyric Acid Acetic Acid Isobutyric Acid
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

78 

dramatically to 1,286 μM (169,000 ppb). Concerns that TCE levels of this magnitude would prove toxic 

to the microorganisms catalyzing the dechlorination reaction proved unwarranted as the conversion of 

TCE to cDCE continued unimpeded. 

After 8 weeks of electron donor injection, the influent concentration of TCE was reduced 99.94% from 65 

μM (8,500 ppb) to an average concentration of 0.04 μM (5 ppb) by the time it reached the first row of 

monitoring wells approximately 50 hours later. Assuming pseudo-first order kinetics apply, this rate of 

TCE removal translates into a half-life of 4.7 hours (k = -0.1488 h-1). This rate of removal remained 

constant when the influent concentration of TCE increased to 1,286 μM (169,000 ppb) during Week 24. 

The concentration in the injected water once it reached nearby MW-3 was only 0.53 μM (69.4 ppb), 

which translates into a half-life of 4.4 hours (k = -0.155 h-1). 

The dramatic reduction in TCE concentrations contributed to the accumulation of cDCE during the 

demonstration. Increases in vinyl chloride levels suggest that cDCE was being dechlorinated, but at a 

significantly slower rate than TCE. The maximum VC concentration was only 3.5 μM (217 ppb) and 

comprised a very small percentage of the overall chloroethene mass. Ethene and ethane concentration 

remained at or near detection limits throughout most of the demonstration. 

4.4 Site 4: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC 

A. Site Description 

 The contamination at Site 88, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, occurred as a result of past operating 

procedures at the Base Dry Cleaners as well as due to leaking underground storage tanks at the site. The 

surficial aquifer was encountered at depths of 6 to 15 feet bgs. The aquifer consists of a series of 

sediments, primarily sand and clay, which commonly extend to depths of 75 feet. The principal water 

supply for the base is found in the series of sand and limestone beds that occur between 50 and 300 feet 

bgs. This series of sediments generally is known as the Castle Hayne Formation, associated with the 

Castle Hayne Aquifer. The top of the Castle Hayne Aquifer was found at a depth of 40 to 60 feet bgs. 

Clay layers occur in both of the aquifers. However, the layers are thin and discontinuous in most of the 

area, and no continuous clay layer separates the surficial aquifer from the Castle Hayne Aquifer. Thin, 

discontinuous layers and lenses of silt, clay, and/or peat are scattered throughout the sand. The hydraulic 

conductivity values estimated for the upper portion of the surficial aquifer ranged from 0.4 feet/day to 

29.7 feet/day. The hydraulic conductivity values estimated for the lower portion of the surficial aquifer 

ranged from 56.4 feet/day to 85.5 feet/day. 

B. Microcosms 

Core samples were taken from Camp Lejeune for microbial analysis in November 2000. Because 

previous site characterization indicated varying contaminant and geochemical profiles at increasing 

depths, two distinct microcosm sets were constructed. The first set was assembled using core material and 

groundwater from 15 to 19 feet bgs, while the second used core material and groundwater from 45 to 49 

feet bgs. The construction of two microcosm sets was undertaken to more fully assess the potential for 

stimulating dechlorinating activity in the area. Transferring material between two microcosms from 

different depths should provide information about potential inhibitory conditions at the site, as well as an 

indication of the promise of implementing a recirculating system in the field study. Monitoring of the 

Camp Lejeune microcosms is currently in-progress. 

C. Field Study 

A conventional RABITT test system consisting of 3 injection wells and an array of 9 monitoring wells 

was installed at Camp Lejeune in April 2001. The wells were installed to a depth of 48 ft bgs and covered 

an area approximately 4 ft wide by 30 ft long. Existing wells are being used to monitor background 

groundwater characteristics and supply groundwater for the demonstration. Injection of contaminated 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

79 

groundwater amended with butyric acid and yeast extract commenced in June 2001, with a total system 

pumping rate of approximately 0.65 L/min. The expected completion date for the field demonstration is 

December 2001. 

Preliminary results show groundwater at the site is anaerobic, highly reduced (-200 mV), and PCE 

concentrations within the testing zone average about 33 μM (5,500 ppb). Other chloroethenes are present, 

but at considerably lower concentrations. The average concentrations of TCE, cDCE and VC within the 

testing zone are 2.9 μM, 0.8 μM, and <0.1 μM, respectively. 

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Activities conducted during RABITT system installation and operation that could potentially cause health 

and safety hazards include drilling with hollow-stem augers or direct push methods, soil and groundwater 

sample collection, and replenishing concentrated stock solutions (tracer, nutrient, electron donor 

solutions). Potential hazards include exposure to organic contaminants and other chemicals used in stock 

solutions, exposure to organic vapors, objects striking feet or eyes, and electrical shock. Appropriate 

safety precautions and protective equipment is utilized to minimize or eliminate health and safety hazards. 

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Because the contaminants are biologically transformed in situ into non-hazardous compounds (e.g., 

ethene), the RABITT treatability test does not produce a process waste stream. Characterization and 

sampling activities generate a small amount of contaminated soil and groundwater that must be properly 

disposed. 

7. COSTS 

Detailed costs for all phases of the RABITT treatability approach will be presented in the final report. 

8. CONCLUSIONS 

To date RABITT demonstrations have been completed at three Department of Defense Facilities, Cape 

Canaveral Air Station, FL; Alameda Point, CA; and Ft. Lewis, WA. The fourth and final facility, Camp 

Lejeune, NC, has been initiated and will be completed by the end of the year. 

Microcosm studies were conducted at each demonstration site to gauge the probability of enhancing 

reductive dechlorination and to examine a suite of electron donors for efficacy. In all four cases the 

electron donor butyric acid demonstrated results equal or superior to all other donors tested. This 

assessment is based on the percentage of reducing equivalents used for dechlorination and on the rate and 

degree of dechlorination. 

The design and operation of each RABITT field demonstration system was tailored to site-specific 

characteristics. The site’s hydrogeology, regulatory environment, and results from microcosm testing all 

influenced the design and operation of the system. An overview of each system’s design is outlined in 

Table 2. Despite differences in site characteristics and system design, each of the three completed 

demonstrations showed rapid reduction of TCE to cDCE. At Cape Canaveral and Alameda this reduction 

proceeded to ethene. The demonstration at Ft. Lewis was exposed to extraordinarily high concentrations 

of TCE (169,000 ppb), but no slowdown in microbial activity was observed and dechlorination continued 

at a remarkable pace. The high-rate dechlorination observed at Ft. Lewis did lead to an accumulation of 

cDCE, but increases in the VC concentration suggest that dechlorination was proceeding past cDCE. 

Results from field demonstrations were generally in agreement with microcosm test results. Results from 

Camp Lejeune are still pending. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

80 

Table 2: Hydrogeology, Regulatory Environment and Results from Microcosm Testing 

Design Parameter Units Cape Canaveral Alameda Point Ft. Lewis 

Camp 

Lejeune 

System flow rate L/min 7.5 0.6 1.5 0.6 

Flow pattern NA Circulation Linear flowthrough Linear flowthrough Radial flowthrough 

Surface dimensions ft. 10 x 34 3 x 15 4 x 30 4 x 30 

Depth ft. bgs 10-20 24-27 26-29 45-48 

Sampling locations number 49 12 12 12 

Demonstration duration Days 169 194 179 ongoing 

Electron donor NA Lactic acid Butyric acid Butyric acid Butyric acid 

Yeast extracta mg/L None 20 20 20 

Sodium bicarbonatea mg/L None None 279 None 

NA – not applicable. 

a – target in situ concentration.

9. REFERENCES 

1. DiStefano, T.D., J.M. Gossett, and S.H. Zinder. 1991. “Reductive Dechlorination of High 

Concentrations of Tetrachloroethene to Ethene by an Anaerobic Enrichment Culture in the Absence 

of Methanogenesis.” Applied and Environmental Microbiology 57(8): 2287-2292. 

2. DiStefano, T.D., J.M. Gossett, and S.H. Zinder. 1992. “Hydrogen as an Electron donor for 

Dechlorination of Tetrachloroethene by an Anaerobic Mixed Culture.” Applied and Environmental 

Microbiology 58(11): 3622-3629. 

3. Fennell, D.E., J.M. Gossett, and S.H. Zinder. 1997. “Comparison of Butyric Acid, Ethanol, Lactic 

Acid, and Propionic Acid as Hydrogen Donors for the Reductive Dechlorination of 

Tetrachloroethene.” Environmental Science & Technology 31: 918-926. 

4. Gossett, J.M., T.D. DiStefano, and M.A. Stover. 1994. Biological Degradation of 

Tetrachloroethylene in Methanogenic Conditions. U.S. Air Force Technical Report No. AL/EQ-TR1983-0026, USAF Armstrong Laboratory, Environics Directorate, Tyndall AFB, FL. 

5. Holliger, C., G. Schraa, A.J.M. Stams, and A.J.B. Zehnder. 1993. “A Highly Purified Enrichment 

Culture Couples the Reductive Dechlorination of Tetrachloroethene to Growth” Applied and 

Environmental Microbiology 59(9): 2991-2997. 

6. Maymo-Gatell, X., V. Tandoi, J.M. Gossett, and S.H. Zinder. 1995. “Characterization of an H2-

Utilizing Enrichment Culture that Reductively Dechlorinates Tetrachloroethene to Vinyl Chloride and 

Ethene in the Absence of Methanogenesis and Acetogenesis.” Applied and Environmental 

Microbiology 61(11): 3928-3933. 

7. Morse, J. J., B.C. Alleman, J.M. Gossett, S.H. Zinder, D.E. Fennell, G.W. Sewell, C.M. Vogel. 1998. 

Draft Technical Protocol – A Treatability Test for Evaluating the Potential Applicability of the 

Reductive Anaerobic Biological In Situ Treatment Technology (RABITT) to Remediate 

Chloroethenes. DoD Environmental Security Technology Certification Program. Document can be 

downloaded from www.estcp.org. 

8. Smatlak, C.R., J.M. Gossett, and S.H. Zinder. 1996. “Comparative Kinetics of Hydrogen Utilization 

for Reductive Dechlorination of Tetrachloroethene and Methanogenesis in an Anaerobic Enrichment 

Culture.” Environmental Science and Technology 30(9) 2850-2858. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

81 

Project No. 13 

Permeable Reactive Barriers for In Situ Treatment of Chlorinated Solvents 

Location 

Dover Air Force Base, 

Delaware, USA 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technology Type 

In situ abiotic 

destruction of 

contaminants 

Technical Contacts 

Charles Reeter 

U.S. Navy 

1100 23rd Ave., Code 412 

Port Hueneme, CA 93043 

Tel: (805) 982-4991 

Fax: (805) 982-4304 

E-mail: 

reetercv@vfesc.navy.mil 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1999 

Final Report 2000 

Contaminants 

Chlorinated solvents: PCE, TCE, and cis1,2-DCE 

Catherine Vogel 

DoD SERDP/ESTCP 

Cleanup Program Manager 

901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 303 

Arlington, VA 22203 

Tel: (703) 696-2118 

Fax: (703) 696-2114 

E-mail: vogelc@acq.osd.mil 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Field demonstration 

Pilot-scale 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 13 was completed in 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

A permeable reactive barrier (PRB) was installed at Dover Air Force Base (AFB) in January 1998 to 

capture and treat a portion of a chlorinated solvent plume. The PRB consisted of a funnel-and-gate system 

with two permeable gates containing reactive media and impermeable funnel walls to achieve the required 

groundwater capture. This PRB was installed was installed to a depth of almost 40 ft using an innovative 

installation technique involving the use of caissons. The PRB was monitored periodically since 

installation and is performing satisfactorily in terms of contaminant degradation and groundwater capture 

(Battelle, 2000). 

2. BACKGROUND 

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB), Florida contracted Battelle, 

Columbus, Ohio in April, 1997 to conduct a demonstration of a pilot-scale field PRB at Area 5, Dover 

AFB, Delaware. The Area 5 aquifer is contaminated with dissolved chlorinated solvents, primarily 

perchloroethene (PCE). The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Environmental Research and 

Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technologies Certification Program 

(ESTCP) provided funding for this project. The primary objective of this demonstration was to test the 

performance of two different reactive media in the same aquifer, under uncontrolled field conditions. A 

secondary objective of the demonstration was to facilitate technology transfer through by documenting 

and disseminating the lessons learned regarding PRB design, construction, and monitoring. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) was 

funded separately by SERDP to conduct long-term above-ground column tests with groundwater from 

Area 5 of the Dover AFB to evaluate and select suitable pre-treatment and reactive cell treatment and 

media for the field demonstration. Members of the Remediation Technologies Development Forum 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

82 

(RTDF) Permeable Barriers Group and the Interstate Technologies Regulatory Cooperation (ITRC) 

Permeable Barriers Subgroup provided document review support for this demonstration. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

A PRB consists of permeable reactive media installed in the path of a contaminant plume. The natural 

groundwater flow through the permeable portion of the PRB brings the contaminants into contact with the 

reactive media. The contaminants are degraded upon contact with the media and treated groundwater 

emerges from the downgradient side of the PRB. Sometimes, impermeable “funnel” walls are installed 

next to the permeable “gate(s)” containing the media; the funnel helps to capture additional groundwater 

and channel it through the gate(s). A PRB design guidance document prepared by Battelle for AFRL 

describes the concept, design, construction, and installation of PRB systems in considerable detail 

(Gavaskar et al., 2000). 

Based on column tests conducted with several alternative reactive media and Area 5 site groundwater, US 

EPA-NERL reported that a pyrite-and-iron combination ranked the best (U.S. EPA, 1997). Because of its 

potential for scrubbing oxygen and controlling pH in the iron-groundwater system, pyrite was expected to 

provide the benefits of enhanced kinetics of CVOC degradation and reduced precipitation of inorganic 

constituents. Precipitation of inorganic constituents, such as dissolved oxygen, carbonates, calcium, and 

magnesium, in the reactive medium is generally anticipated to be a probable cause for any loss of 

reactivity or hydraulic performance that the iron may encounter during long term operation. Precipitates 

could potentially coat the reactive surfaces of granular iron and reduce reactivity and hydraulic 

conductivity over time. Based on the U.S. EPA (1997) recommendation for the use of pyrite and iron to 

control precipitation, Battelle designed and installed a funnel-and-gate type PRB with two gates. Both 

gates have a reactive cell consisting of 100% granular iron. In addition, Gate 1 also incorporates a pretreatment zone (PTZ) consisting of 10% iron and sand; Gate 2 incorporates a PTZ consisting of 10% 

pyrite and sand. The exit zone in both gates consists of 100% coarse sand. The construction of the PRB 

was completed in January 1998. 

The location and design of the barrier was also determined by detailed Area 5 site characterization and 

modeling conducted in June 1997 to support the PRB and monitoring system design (Battelle, 1997). The 

groundwater treatment targets for this project are 5 μg./L of PCE and TCE, 70 μg/L of cis-1,2 

dichloroethene (cis-1,2 DCE), and 2 μg/L of vinyl chloride (VC); these targets correspond to the U.S. 

EPA-recommended maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for the respective chlorinated volatile organic 

compounds (CVOCs). An innovative construction technique involving caissons was used to install the 

two gates down to about 40 ft bgs, which is beyond the reach of conventional backhoe installation. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Following installation, the reactive (geochemical) and hydraulic performance of the PRB were evaluated 

primarily through two comprehensive monitoring events in July 1998 and June 1999 (Battelle, 2000a). 

Monitoring events were conducted periodically throughout the demonstration to monitor a limited 

number of operating parameters. At the end of 18 months of operation, core samples of the gate and 

surrounding aquifer media were collected and analyzed for precipitate formation. 

5. RESULTS 

Monitoring results show that, to date, the PRB is functioning at an acceptable level in terms of capturing 

groundwater, creating strongly reducing conditions, and achieving treatment targets. The treatment targets 

at Dover AFB are 5 μg/L of PCE and TCE, 70 μg/L of cis 1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), and 2 μg/L of vinyl 

chloride (VC); DCE and VC are typical byproducts of PCE and TCE degradation process. The PTZs in 

both gates succeeded in removing dissolved oxygen from the groundwater before it entered the reactive 

cell. In addition, the use of pyrite did result in some degree of pH control while the groundwater was in 

the PTZ of Gate 2. However, once the groundwater entered the reactive cell, the tendency of the iron to 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

83 

raise the pH of the system overwhelmed any pH control effect achieved by the pyrite. Magnesium, nitrate, 

and silica were the main inorganic species precipitating out of the low-alkalinity groundwater as it flowed 

through the gates. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

A health and safety plan was prepared before construction started and was reviewed by Dover AFB and 

all contractors. A pre-construction meeting was held at the site to discuss safety issues. Level D safety 

measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) were used to address the minimal safety hazards 

during construction. These consisted of a hard-hat and steel-toed shoes for workers at the site. When the 

vibratory hammer was used to drive the caissons into the ground, workers used earplugs to protect 

potential hearing loss. Entry of workers into the excavation was avoided by using a pre-fabricated frame 

holding the monitoring well array that was inserted from the ground into the excavated gates. The 

granular iron was placed in the gates with a tremie tube. No health and safety incidents occurred during 

construction. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

A photo-ionization detector was used to monitor ambient organic vapors during construction. Because of 

the very low levels of organic contaminants present in the groundwater and soil at the location of the 

PRB, there were no real concerns about environmental impacts. Extracted soil from the caisson was 

transported to a nearby construction site for reuse. 

8. COSTS 

The initial capital investment incurred the pilot-scale PRB at Dover AFB Area 5 was a total of 

US$739,000, including US$47,000 for the granular iron media and US$264,000 for the on-site 

construction; site characterization, column testing, design, site preparation, and procurement accounted 

for the rest of the cost. A long-term life cycle analysis of a full-scale PRB (expanded funnel-and-gate 

system with four gates) and an equivalent pump-and-treat (P&T) system was conducted for the site. 

Assuming that the iron medium would sustain its reactivity and hydraulic properties for at least 30 years, 

the discounted net present value (NPV) of the long-term savings over 30 years of operation was estimated 

to be approximately US$800,000, compared with using the P&T system. Given that the solvent plume is 

likely to last for several decades or even centuries, the longer-term savings are significant. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

A pilot-scale PRB was successfully designed and installed at Dover AFB to capture and treat a 

chlorinated solvent plume to meet the desired clean up targets. The caisson method of installation was 

found to be suitable for installing a PRB at relatively greater depths and in the midst of underground 

utility lines. Monitoring shows that the PRB continues to meet its targets. One significant unknown is the 

longevity of the PRB, that is, for how long will the iron medium continue to sustain it reactive and 

hydraulic performance. Precipitates were found to be forming in the iron cell due to the level of inorganic 

constituents measured in the groundwater. In the absence of longevity information, the cost analysis 

described above was repeated assuming that the iron would have to be replaced every 5, 10, 20, or 30 

years. This economic analysis showed that as long as the iron does not have to be replaced for at least 10 

years, the PRB would be a less costly option compared to an equivalent P&T system at Area 5. Dover 

AFB is currently considering an expansion of the system to capture more of the plume. 

10. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1. Battelle, 2000. Design, Construction, and Monitoring of the Permeable Reactive Barrier in Area 5 at 

Dover Air Force Base. Final report prepared for the Air Force Research Laboratory by Battelle, 

Columbus, Ohio, USA on March 31, 2000. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

84 

2. Battelle, 1997. Design/Test Plan: Permeable Barrier Demonstration at Area 5, Dover AFB. Prepared 

for Air Force Research Laboratory by Battelle, Columbus, Ohio. 

3. Gavaskar, A., N. Gupta, B. Sass, R. Janosy, and J. Hicks. Design Guidance for the Application of 

Permeable Reactive Barriers for Groundwater Remediation. Prepared for Air Force Research 

Laboratory by Battelle, Columbus, Ohio on March 31, 2000. 

4. U.S. EPA, 1997. Selection of Media for the Dover AFB Field Demonstration of Permeable Barriers 

to Treat Groundwater Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents. Preliminary report to U.S. Air Force 

for SERDP Project 107. August 4, 1997. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

85 

Project No. 14 

Thermal Cleanup Using Dynamic Underground Stripping and Hydrous Pyrolysis/Oxidation 

Location 

LLNL Gasoline Spill Site, 

Livermore, CA. 

Visalia Pole Yard, Visalia, CA. 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Contaminants 

PAHs, diesel and 

pentachlorophenol 

(Visalia) 

Gasoline (LLNL) 

(TCE, solvents and fuels 

at other sites) 

Technology Type 

Dynamic 

underground 

stripping and 

hydrous pyrolysis/ 

oxidation 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1998

Final Report 1999

Media 

Groundwater and soil 

Technical Contacts 

Robin L. Newmark 

Lawrence Livermore National 

Laboratory 

L-208, P.O. Box 808 

Livermore, CA, 94550 

United States 

Tel: (925)-423-3644 

Fax: (925)-422-3925 

E-mail: newmark@llnl.gov

Paul M. Beam 

U.S. Department of Energy 

19901 Germantown Road 

Germantown, MD 20874-1290 

United States 

Tel: 301-903-8133 

Fax: 301-903-3877 

E-mail: paul.beam@em.doe.gov 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Full-scale: 

Livermore: 100,000yd3

 (76,000 m3

)

Visalia: 4.3 acres, >130 

ft deep (app. 600,000 

m3

) 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 14 was completed in 1999. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

In the early 1990s, in collaboration with the School of Engineering at the University of California, 

Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory developed dynamic underground stripping (DUS), a 

method for treating subsurface contaminants with heat that is much faster and more effective than 

traditional treatment methods. More recently, Livermore scientists developed hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation 

(HPO), which introduces both heat and oxygen to the subsurface to convert contaminants in the ground to 

such benign products as carbon dioxide, chloride ion, and water. This process has effectively destroyed all 

contaminants it encountered in laboratory tests. 

With dynamic underground stripping, the contaminants are vaporized and vacuumed out of the ground, 

leaving them still to be destroyed elsewhere. Hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation technology takes the cleanup 

process one step further by eliminating the treatment, handling, and disposal requirements and destroying 

the contamination in the ground. When used in combination, HPO is especially useful in the final 

“polishing” of a site containing significant free-product contaminant, once the majority of the 

contaminant has been removed. 

2. BACKGROUND 

A. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Gasoline Spill Site: 

LLNL recently completed the cleanup and closure of a moderate-sized spill site in which thermal cleanup 

methods, and the associated control technologies, were used to remediate nearly 8,000 gallons (30,000 L) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

86 

of gasoline trapped in soil both above and below the standing water table. The spill originated from a 

group of underground tanks, from which an estimated 17,000 gallons (64,000 L) of gasoline leaked 

sometime between 1952 and 1979. The gasoline penetrated the soil, eventually reaching the water table, 

where it spread out. Gasoline trapped up to 30 ft (9 m) below the water table was there due to a rise in the 

water table after the spill occurred, with the gasoline held below water by capillary forces in the soil. 

Groundwater contamination extended about 650 ft (200 m) beyond the central spill area. The soils at the 

site are alluvial, ranging from very fine silt/clay layers to extremely coarse gravels, with unit 

permeabilities ranging over several orders of magnitude. The site was prepared for long-term groundwater 

pump-and-treat with vapor extraction; recovery rates prior to thermal treatment were about 2.5 gal/day 9.5 

L/day). 

B. Visalia Pole Yard: 

In 1997, DUS and HPO were applied for cleanup of a 4.3 acre (17,000 m2

) site in Visalia, California, 

owned by Southern California Edison Co. (Edison). The utility company had used the site since the 1920s 

to treat utility poles by dipping them into creosote, a pentachlorophenol compound, or both. By the 1970s, 

it was estimated that 40-80,000 gallons (150,000-300,000 L) of DNAPL product composed of poletreating chemicals (primarily creosote and pentachlorophenol) and an oil-based carrier fluid had 

penetrated the subsurface to depths of approximately 100 ft (30 m), 40 ft (12 m) below the water table. 

Edison had been conducting pump and treat operations at the site for nearly 20 years. While this activity 

had successfully reduced the size of the offsite groundwater contaminant plume, it was not very effective 

at removing the NAPL source. Prior to thermal treatment, about 10 lb. (4.5 kg) of contaminant was being 

recovered per week. Bioremediation of the free-organic liquids is expected be prohibitively slow 

(enhanced bioremediation was predicted to take at least 120 years). 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

A. Dynamic Underground Stripping (DUS): Mobilization and Recovery 

Dynamic Underground Stripping combines two methods to heat the soil, vaporizing trapped 

contaminants. Permeable layers (e.g., gravels) are amenable to heating by steam injection, and 

impermeable layers (e.g., clays) can be heated by electric current. These complementary heating 

techniques are extremely effective for heating heterogeneous soils; in more uniform conditions, only one 

or the other may be applied. Once vaporized, the contaminants are removed by vacuum extraction. These 

processes - from the heating of the soil to the removal of the contaminated vapor - are monitored and 

guided by underground imaging, which assures effective treatment through in situ process control. 

B. Hydrous Pyrolysis/Oxidation (HPO): In Situ Destruction

At temperatures achieved by steam injection, organic compounds will readily oxidize over periods of 

days to weeks. By introducing both heat and oxygen, this process has effectively destroyed all petroleum 

and solvent contaminants that have been tested in the laboratory. All that is required is for water, heat, 

oxygen, and the contaminant to be together; hence the name. After the free organic liquids are gone, this 

oxidation will continue to remove low-level contamination. The oxidation of contaminants at steam 

temperatures is extremely rapid (less than one week for TCE and two weeks for naphthalene) if sufficient 

oxygen is present. In HPO, the dense, nonaqueous-phase liquids and dissolved contaminants are 

destroyed in place without surface treatment, thereby improving the rate and efficiency of remediation by 

rendering the hazardous materials benign by a completely in situ process. Because the subsurface is 

heated during the process, HPO takes advantage of the large increase in mass transfer rates, such as 

increased diffusion out of silty sediments, making contaminants more available for destruction. 

C. Underground Imaging: process control

Most subsurface environmental restoration processes cannot be observed while operating. Electrical 

Resistance Tomography (ERT) has proven to be an excellent technique for obtaining near-real-time 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

87 

images of the heated zones. ERT gives the operator detailed subsurface views of the hot and cold zones at 

their site on a daily basis. Heating soil produces such a large change in its electrical properties that it is 

possible to obtain images between wells (inverted from low voltage electrical impulses passed between) 

of the actual heated volumes by methods similar to CAT scans. Combined with temperature 

measurements, ERT provides process control to ensure that all the soil is treated. 

D. LLNL Gasoline Spill Site: DUS

The DUS application at the LLNL Gasoline Spill Site was designed to remove free-product NAPL. The 

targeted volume was a cylinder about 120 ft (36 m) in diameter and 80 ft (24 m) high, extending from a 

depth of 60 ft (18 m) to a depth of 140 ft (43 m). The water table is located at 100 ft (30 m). Due to the 

presence of relatively thick clay-rich zones, both electrical heating and steam injection were required to 

heat the target volume. 

E. Visalia Pole Yard: DUS + HPO 

Thermal treatment (DUS steam injection and vacuum extraction) was chosen for removal of the free 

product contaminant. The overall objectives of thermal remediation of the Visalia Pole Yard are to 

remove a substantial portion of the DNAPL contaminant at the site, thereby enhancing the bioremediation 

of remaining contaminant. This is expected to significantly shorten the time to site closure as well as 

improve the accuracy of the prediction of time to closure. As part of the final removal process, Edison is 

also implementing hydrous pyrolysis (HPO), an in situ method of destroying organic contaminants using 

small amounts of supplemental air or oxygen. The primary use of HPO at this site is for destruction of 

residual pentachlorophenol, which will not readily steam strip due to high solubility and low vapor 

pressure. The combination of rapid recovery and thermal destruction is expected to permit Edison to 

achieve their cleanup goals, which included termination of groundwater treatment. 

A series of noble gas tracer tests were conducted to verify the extent of HPO under field conditions. 

Evidence of hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation came from the disappearance of dissolved oxygen, the 

appearance of oxidized intermediate products, the production of CO2, and the distinct isotopic signature 

of the carbon in the CO2 produced, indicating contaminant origin. These results constrain the destruction 

rates throughout the site, and enable site management to make accurate estimates of total in situ

destruction based on the recovered carbon using the system-wide contaminant tracking system being used 

on the site. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Standard laboratory analyses were performed on all samples unless noted specifically in the references. 

5. RESULTS 

A. LLNL Gasoline Spill Site: 

During 21 weeks of thermal treatment operations conducted over about a year, DUS treatment removed 

more than 7600 gallons (29,000 L) of an estimated 6200 gallons (23,000 L) of gasoline trapped in soil 

both above and below the water table. Prior to thermal treatment, separate phase contamination extended 

to >120 ft (37 m) deep. Approximately 100,000 yd

3 

(76,000 m3) were cleaned. The maximum removal 

rate was 250 gallons (950 L) of gasoline a day. The process was limited only by the ability to treat the 

contaminated fluids and vapors on the surface. 

Dynamic underground stripping removed contaminants 50 times faster than with the conventional pumpand-treat process. The cleanup, estimated to take 30 to 60 years with pump-and-treat, was completed in 

about one year. As of 1996, following removal of more than 99% of the contaminant, and achievement of 

Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) levels in groundwater for five of the six contaminants, the site is 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

88 

being passively monitored under an agreement with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board 

(RWQCB), California EPA’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and the Federal EPA 

Region 9. These regulatory agencies declared that no further remedial action is required. 

The initial objective of the LLNL DUS demonstration was to remove the separate phase gasoline from the 

treatment area. Not only was the separate phase gasoline removed, but the groundwater contamination 

was reduced to or near the regulatory limits. Thermal treatment under these conditions did not sterilize the 

site, and instead led to the establishment of flourishing indigenous microbial ecosystems at soil 

temperatures up to 90 ̊C. The very positive response of regulators, who provided quick closure 

authorization for the site, indicates that these methods will be accepted for use. 

B. Visalia Pole Yard: 

During the first six weeks of thermal remediation operations, between June and August 1997, 

approximately 300,000 pounds (135 metric tons) of contaminant was either removed or destroyed in 

place, a rate of about 46,000 pounds (22 metric tons) per week. That figure contrasts sharply with the 10 

pounds (0.003 metric ton) per week that Edison had been removing with conventional pump and treat 

cleanup methods. In fact, the amount of hydrocarbons removed or destroyed in place in those six weeks 

was equivalent to 600 years of pump-and-treat, about 5,000 times the previous removal rate. 

Edison achieved their initial goal of heating over 500,000 yd3

 (380,000 m3) to at least a temperature of 

100 o

C by the beginning of August 1997. Uniform heating of both aquifer and aquitard materials was 

achieved. At this point, about 20,000 gallons (76,000 L) of free-product liquid had been removed. Vapor 

and water streams continued to be saturated with product. Continued destruction by HPO was indicated 

by high levels of carbon dioxide (0.08 - 0.12% by volume) removed through vapor extraction. Initial 

destruction accounted for about 300 lb/day 136 kg/day) of contaminant being destroyed via HPO. 

Operations were changed to a huff and puff mode, where steam is injected for about a week, and then 

injection ceases for about a week while extraction continues. Maximum contaminant removal is obtained 

during this steam-off period as the formation fluids flash to steam under an applied vacuum. 

In September, 1997, following the initial contaminant removal by steam injection and vacuum extraction, 

air was injected along with the steam to enhance hydrous pyrolysis of the remaining contaminant. In situ

destruction rates increased to about 800 lb/day (360 kg/day). Recovery/destruction rates matched 

expectations. By the summer of 1998, decreasing contaminant concentrations indicated that the bulk of 

the contaminant had been removed from the main treatment volume. Groundwater concentrations 

indicated that the site was being cleaned from the periphery inward, with all but two wells showing 

contaminant concentrations similar to the pre-steam values by September 1998. Active thermal 

remediation of this zone was nearing completion. At this point, Edison chose to begin injecting steam into 

a deeper aquifer to heat and remove the remaining contamination that had leaked into the overlying silty 

aquitard, which represented the “floor” of the initial treatment zone. Contaminant is being recovered from 

this aquitard today. 

In the ensuing months, recovery rates have remained high. As of March 1999, over 960,000 lb (440,000 

kg) or 116,000 gallons of contaminant had been removed or destroyed. About 18% of the total has been 

destroyed in situ via HPO. Contaminant concentrations in the recovery wells are decreasing. 

Edison plans to continue steam injection through the end of June 1999. This will be followed by 

groundwater pumping, vacuum extraction and air injection to enhance HPO and bioremediation. 

Monitoring of groundwater concentrations is expected to continue for a period of 2 to 5 years. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

This high-energy system needs to be handled in accordance with standard safety procedures. Monitoring 

of air emissions has revealed low emissions with no worker safety or public health impacts. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

89 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Permits were required for water discharge (treated effluent) and NOx emissions from the boilers. The site 

is being remediated under a state-lead Remedial Action Plan (RAP). Vapor is destroyed in the boilers 

under air permit from the regional air board. Standard regional groundwater monitoring is conducted to 

ensure public health protection. 

8. COSTS 

A. DUS at the LLNL Gasoline Spill Site 

The first application of dynamic underground stripping at the Livermore gasoline spill site in 1993 cost 

about $110 per cubic yard ($140 per cubic meter); removing the additional research and development 

costs suggested the project could have been repeated for about $65 per cubic yard ($85 per cubic meter). 

The alternatives would have been significantly higher. Because contamination at the gasoline spill at the 

Livermore site had migrated downward over 130 ft (40 meters), digging up the contaminated soil and 

disposing of it would have cost almost $300 per cubic yard ($400 per cubic meter). Soil removal and 

disposal costs are more typically in the range of $100 to $200 per cubic yard ($130 to $260 per cubic 

meter); pump-and-treat method costs are as high as or higher than soil removal costs. 

B. DUS and HPO at the Visalia Pole Yard 

Use of DUS and HPO in combination can permit huge cost savings because HPO eliminates the need for 

long-term use of expensive pump and treat treatment facilities by converting some contaminants to benign 

products in situ and mobilizing other contaminants. Site operators can adjust process time to enhance 

removal DUS or in situ destruction through HPO. Because the treatment is simple, it can be readily 

applied to large volumes of earth. 

Edison has projected the life-cycle cost of steam remediation at the Visalia pole yard to be under $20 

million, which includes all construction, operation and monitoring activities. The total treatment zone 

includes about 800,000 yd3

 (600,000 m3) of which about 400,000 yd3 (300,000 m3) contained DNAPL 

contamination. Approximately $4.2 million was spent on capital engineering, design, construction, and 

startup. In addition, about $12 million had been spent on operations, maintenance, energy (gas and 

electric), monitoring, management, engineering support, and regulatory interface by the end of 1998. 

Since Edison (the site owner) has acted as primary site operator for the cleanup, the aforementioned 

project costs do not reflect a profit in the overhead costs. Post-steaming operations will consist of the 

operation of the water treatment system for an expected duration of two to five years to demonstrate 

compliance with the California State EPA Remediation Standards. The annual operations and 

maintenance costs for the water treatment plant is $1.2 million. The previously-approved cleanup plan of 

pump and treat with enhanced bioremediation was expected to cost $45 million (in 1997 US dollars) for 

the first 30 years; it was expected to take over 120 years to complete the cleanup. 

The Visalia pole yard cleanup is the only commercial application of this method to date, but indications 

are that large-scale cleanups with hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation may cost less than $25 per cubic yard 

($33/m3

), an enormous savings over current methods. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of these 

technologies is that the end product of a DUS/HPO cleanup with bioremediation as a final step is 

expected to be a truly clean site. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Breakthrough cleanups of seemingly intractable contaminants are now possible using a combined set of 

thermal remediation and monitoring technologies. This “toolbox” of methods provides a rapid means to 

clean up free organic liquids in the deep subsurface. Previously regarded as uncleanable, contamination of 

this type can now be removed in a period of 1-2 years for a cost less than the many-decade site 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

90 

monitoring and pumping methods it replaces. The groundwater polishing by HPO provides the means to 

completely clean serious NAPL-contaminated sites. 

The gasoline spill demonstration clearly showed that thermal methods can quickly and effectively clean a 

contaminated site. With respect to the Visalia Pole Yard cleanup, tremendous removal rates have been 

achieved. More than 970,000 lb. of contaminants was removed or destroyed in about 20 months of 

operations; previous recovery amounted to 10 lb/week. Contaminant concentrations are dropping in the 

extraction wells; the site is cleaning from the periphery inward. Site management plans to terminate active 

thermal treatment soon, returning to pumping and monitoring the site. The expectations are that 

groundwater treatment will no longer be necessary after a few years. 

The Visalia field tests confirmed in situ HPO destruction in soil and ground water at rates similar to those 

observed in the laboratory, under realistic field remediation conditions. HPO appears to work as fast as 

oxygen can be supplied, at rates similar to those measured in the laboratory. The predictive models used 

to design HPO steam injection systems have been validated by using conservative tracers to confirm 

mixing rates, oxygen consumption, CO2 release, and effects of real-world heterogeneity. Accurate field 

measurements of the critical fluid parameters (destruction chemistry, oxygen content, steam front 

location) were demonstrated, using existing monitoring wells and portable data systems with minimal 

capital cost. 

Several sites are designing DUS/HPO applications similar to Visalia. These include both solvent and 

pole-treating chemical contaminated sites, ranging in depth from relatively shallow (<40 ft (10 m)) to 

relatively deep (>185 ft (56 m)). In January 1999, steam injection began at a relatively shallow (>35 ft (11 

m)) site in Ohio in which DNAPL TCE is being removed. 

10. REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1. Aines, R.D.; Leif, F.; Knauss, K.; Newmark, R.L.; Chiarappa, M.; Davison, M.L.; Hudson, G.B., 

Weidner, R.; and Eaker, C.; Tracking inorganic carbon compounds to quantify in situ oxidation of 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the Visalia Pole Yard hydrous pyrolysis/oxidation field test, 

1998 (in prep). 

2. Cummings, Mark A.; Visalia Steam Remediation Project: Case Study of an Integrated Approach to 

DNAPL Remediation. Los Alamos National Laboratory Report, LA-UR-9704999; 1997; 9 pp. 

3. Knauss, Kevin G.; Aines, Roger D.; Dibley, Michael J.; Leif, Roald N.; Mew, Daniel A.; Hydrous 

Pyrolysis/Oxidation: In-Ground Thermal Destruction of Organic Contaminants. Lawrence Livermore 

National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-JC 126636, 1997; 18 pp. 

4. Knauss, Kevin G.; Dibley, Michael J.; Leif, Roald N.; Mew, Daniel A.; Aines, Roger D. “Aqueous 

Oxidation of Trichloroethene (TCE): A Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analysis”. In Physical, Chemical 

and Thermal Technologies, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Proceeding of 

the First International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds;

Wickramanayake, G.B., Hinchee, R.E., Eds.; Battelle Press, Columbus, OH, 1998a; pp359-364. Also 

available as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-JC-129932, 1998; 8 pp. 

5. Knauss, Kevin G.; Dibley, Michael J.; Leif, Roald N.; Mew, Daniel A.; Aines, Roger D. “Aqueous 

Oxidation of Trichloroethene (TCE): A Kinetic analysis.” Accepted for Publication, Applied 

Geochemistry; 1998b. 

6. Knauss, Kevin G.; Dibley, Michael J.; Leif, Roald N.; Mew, Daniel A.; Aines, Roger D. “Aqueous 

Oxidation of Trichloroethene (TCE) and Tetrachloroethene (PCE) as a Function of Temperature and 

Calculated Thermodynamic Quantities, Submitted to Applied Geochemistry; 1998c. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

91 

7. Leif, Roald N.; Chiarrappa, Marina; Aines, Roger D.; Newmark Robin L.; and Knauss, Kevin G. “In 

Situ Hydrothermal Oxidative Destruction of DNAPLS in a Creosote Contaminated Site.” In Physical, 

Chemical and Thermal Technologies, Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, 

Proceeding of the First International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant 

Compounds; Wickramanayake, G.B., Hinchee, R.E., Eds.; Battelle Press, Columbus, OH, 1998; pp 

133-138. Also available as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-JC-129933, 

1998a; 8 pp. 

8. Leif, Roald N.; Knauss, Kevin G.; and Aines, Roger D.; Hydrothermal Oxidative Destruction of 

Creosote and Naphthalene, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-JC, 1998b 21 

pp (in prep). 

9. Leif, Roald N.; Aines, Roger D.; Knauss, Kevin G. Hydrous Pyrolysis of Pole Treating Chemicals: A) 

Initial Measurement of Hydrous Pyrolysis Rates for Naphthalene and Pentachlorophenol; B) 

Solubility of Flourene at Temperatures Up To 150°C; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 

Report, UCRL-CR-129938, 1997a; 32pp. 

10. Leif, Roald N.; Knauss, Kevin G.; Mew, Daniel A.; Aines, Roger D. Destruction of 2,2’,3-

Trichlorobiphenyl in Aqueous Solution by Hydrous Pyrolysis / Oxidation (HPO). Lawrence 

Livermore National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-ID 129837, 1997b; 21 pp. 

11. MSE Technology Applications, Inc., “Dynamic Underground Stripping and Hydrous 

Pyrolysis/Oxidation Cost Analysis”, report prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, HMP-44,

June, 1998. 

12. Newmark, R.L., ed., Dynamic Underground Stripping Project: LLNL Gasoline Spill Demonstration 

Report; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report UCRL - ID - 116964, July, 1994 (1600 

pages). 

13. Newmark, Robin L.; Aines, Roger D.; Dumping Pump and Treat: Rapid Cleanups Using Thermal 

Technology. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report, UCRL-JC 126637, 1997; 23 pp. 

14. Newmark, R.L., R. D. Aines, G. B. Hudson, R. Leif, M. Chiarappa, C. Carrigan, J. Nitao, A. Elsholz, 

C. Eaker, R. Weidner and S. Sciarotta, In Situ destruction of contaminants via hydrous pyrolysis/ 

oxidation: Visalia field test, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Report UCRL-ID-132671, 

1998; 45 pp. 

15. Newmark, R.L., R. D. Aines, G. B. Hudson, R. Leif, M. Chiarappa, C. Carrigan, J. Nitao, A. Elsholz, 

and C. Eaker, 1999. An integrated approach to monitoring a field test of in situ contaminant 

destruction, Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental 

Problems (SAGEEP) '99, Oakland, CA, March 15-18, 1999, 527-540. 

16. Ramirez, A.L., W. D. Daily and R. L. Newmark, Electrical resistance tomography for steam injection 

monitoring and process control, Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, (July, 1995), 

v. 0, no.1, 39-52. 

17. Udell, K and McCarter, R (1996) Treatability Tests of Steam Enhanced Extraction for the Removal of 

Wood Treatment Chemicals from Visalia Pole Yard Soils, University of California, Report to 

Southern California Edison. (<http://abacus.me.berkelley.edu/BERC/Projects/Visalia/index.html>) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

92 

Project No. 15 

Phytoremediation of Chlorinated Solvents 

Location

Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Edgewood 

Area J-Field Site, Edgewood, MD 

Edward Sears Site, 

New Gretna, NJ 

Carswell Air Force Base, 

Fort Worth, TX 

Project Status

Final Report 

Media

Groundwater 

Technology Type

Phytoremediation 

Project Dates

Accepted 1998 

Contaminants 

Chlorinated solvents: TCE, 1,1,2,2-

TCA, PCE, and DCE 

Costs Documented?

Yes (preliminary) 

Project Size

Full-scale field 

demonstration 

Results Available?

Yes (preliminary) 

Technical Contacts 

Harry Compton (Aberdeen Site) 

U.S. EPA, ERT (MS101) 

2890 Woodbridge Avenue 

Edison, NJ 08837-3679 

Tel: 732-321-6751 

Fax: 732-321-6724 

E-mail: compton.harry@epa.gov 

Steve Hirsh (Aberdeen Site) 

U.S. EPA, Region 3 (3HS50) 

1650 Arch Street 

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 

Tel: 215-814-3352 

E-mail: hirsh.steven@epa.gov 

George Prince (Edward Sears Site) 

U.S. EPA, ERT (MS101) 

2890 Woodbridge Avenue 

Edison, NJ 08837-3679 

Tel: 732-321-6649 

Fax: 732-321-6724 

E-mail: prince.george@epa.gov 

Greg Harvey (Carswell AFB Site) 

U.S. Air Force, ASC/EMR 

1801 10th Street - Area B 

Wright Patterson AFB, OH 

Tel: 937-255-7716 ext. 302 

Fax: 937-255-4155 

E-mail: Gregory.Harvey@wpafb.af.mil

Project Reports 

Available upon completion of projects. When available, 

these reports can be obtained from the National Service 

Center for Environmental Publications (NCEPI), P.O. Box 

42419, Cincinnati, OH 42542-8695; tel: (800) 490-9198, or 

(513) 489-8695. 

Project 15 was completed in 1999. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The efficacy and cost of phytoremediation to clean up shallow groundwater contaminated with 

chlorinated solvents (primarily trichloroethylene), is being evaluated at the field scale in demonstration 

projects at Aberdeen Proving Grounds Edgewood Area J-Field Site in Edgewood, Maryland, the Edward 

Sears site in New Gretna, New Jersey, and Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. These projects 

will demonstrate the use of hybrid poplars to hydraulically control the sites and ultimately to remove the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

93 

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the groundwater. When completed, these projects will allow a 

comparison of phytoremediation at three sites under varied conditions within different climatic regions. 

2. SUMMARY AND LATEST OBSERVATIONS 

At the Aberdeen Proving Ground site, a process called deep rooting is being used to achieve hydraulic 

influence. Hybrid poplar trees were initially planted in the spring of 1996 at five to six feet below ground 

surface to maximize groundwater uptake. The field demonstration and evaluation will be for a five year 

period. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that hydraulic influence will occur when 7,000 gallons 

of water per day are removed from the site. 

Several trees were excavated in the fall of 1998 to determine root growth. The tree roots were found to be 

confined to the hole in which they were placed. In an attempt to increase root depth and width, new trees 

were planted in holes of varying sizes and depths. 

The latest field data indicates that hydraulic influence is occurring. Current tree uptake is 1,091 gallons 

(4,129 liters) per day and is expected to increase to 1,999 gallons (7,528 liters) at the end of 30 years. 

Contaminant uptake is minimal at this time but is expected to improve as the trees mature. Groundwater 

sampling indicates that the contaminated plume has not migrated off-site during the growing season and 

sampling data showed non-detectable emissions from transpiration gas. There are several on-going 

studies to determine if deleterious compounds retained in the leaves and soil could pose risks to 

environmental receptors. 

At the Edward Sears site, deep rooting was also used to maximize groundwater uptake. Beginning in 

December 1996, hybrid poplar trees were planted nine feet below ground surface. In addition, some trees 

were planted along the boundary of the site at depth of only 3 feet to minimize groundwater and rainwater 

infiltration from off-site. Groundwater monitoring will continue in 2000. A November sampling is 

scheduled to determine if contaminant concentrations recover during the dormant season. 

There were substantial reductions in dichloromethane and trimethylbenzene concentrations during the 

1998 growing season. For example, dichloromethane was reduced to 615 parts per billion (ppb) from 

490,000 ppb at one location and to a non-detect level from up to 12,000 ppb at another location; 

trimethylbenzene was reduced to 50 ppb from 1,900 at one location. There is also indication of anaerobic 

dechlorination in the root zone as the level of PCE dropped and TCE increased. 

There seems to have been an adverse impact on tree growth in areas with high VOCs concentrations 

during the initial two growing seasons. However, in the third growing season, the rate of growth has 

increased significantly but the trees have yet to achieve the height and diameter of trees planted in 

uncontaminated areas. Evapotranspiration gasses were collected in sampling bags during the hottest 

periods of the day and were analyzed for target compounds. Only low levels of toluene (8 to 11 ppb) were 

detected. Soil gas flux measurements indicated that no contaminants are released into the air from the soil. 

At the Carswell Air Force Base site, the phytoremediation system is a low-cost, low-maintenance system 

that is consistent with a long-term contaminant reduction strategy. Trees were planted in trenches as a 

short rotation woody crop employing standard techniques developed by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

The phytoremediation system was designed to intercept and remediate a chlorinated ethene contaminant 

plume. The system relies on two mechanisms to achieve this goal: hydraulic removal of contaminated 

groundwater through tree transpiration and biologically mediated in-situ reductive dechlorination of the 

contaminant. The tree root systems introduce organic matter into the aquifer system, which drives the 

microbial communities in the aquifer from aerobic to anaerobic communities that support this reductive 

dechlorination. 

The first three growing seasons resulted in a remediation system that reduced the mass of contaminants 

moving through the site. The maximum observed reduction in the mass flux of TCE across the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

94 

downgradient end of the site during the three-year demonstration period was 11 percent. Increases in 

hydraulic influence and reductive dechlorination of the dissolved TCE plume are expected in out years, 

and may significantly reduce the mass of contaminants. Modeling results indicate that hydraulic influence 

alone may reduce the volume of contaminated groundwater that moves offsite by up to 30 percent. The 

decrease in mass flux that can be attributed to in situ reductive dechlorination has yet to be quantified. 

3. SITE DESCRIPTION 

Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 

The site is located at the tip of the Gunpowder Neck Peninsula, which extends into the Chesapeake Bay. 

The Army practiced open trench (toxic pits) burning/detonation of munitions containing chemical agents 

and dunnage from the 1940s to the 1970s. Large quantities of decontaminating agents containing solvents 

were used during the operation. The surficial groundwater table had been contaminated with solvents 

(1,1,2,2-TCA, TCE, DCE) at levels up to 260 parts per million (ppm). The contamination is 5 to 40 ft (3.5 

to 13 m) below ground surface. The plume is slow-moving due to tight soils and silty sand. The impacted 

area is a floating mat-type fresh water marsh approximately 500 ft (160 m) southeast. A low 

environmental threat is presented by the contaminant plume. 

Edward Sears Site, New Jersey 

From the mid-1960s to the early 1990s, Edward Sears repackaged and sold expired paints, adhesives, 

paint thinners, and various military surplus materials out of his backyard in New Gretna, NJ. As a result, 

toxic materials were stored in leaky drums and containers on his property for many years. The soil and 

groundwater were contaminated with numerous hazardous wastes, including dichloromethane (up to 

490,000 ppb), tetrachloroethylene (up to 160 ppb), trichloroethylene (up to 390 ppb), trimethylbenzene 

(up to 2,000 ppb), and xylenes (up to 2,700 ppb). There is a highly permeable sand layer from 0 to 5 ft ( 0 

to 1.6 m) below ground surface (bgs). Below that exists a much less permeable layer of sand, silt, and 

clay from 5 to 18 (1.6 to 6 m) ft bgs. This silt, sand, and clay layer acts as a semi-confining unit for water 

and contaminants percolating down toward an unconfined aquifer from 18 to 80 ft (6 to 26 m) bgs. This 

unconfined aquifer is composed primarily of sand and is highly permeable. The top of the aquifer is about 

9 ft (3 m) bgs, which lies in the less permeable sand, silt, and clay layer. The top of the aquifer is 

relatively shallow and most of the contamination is confined from 5 to 18 ft 1.6 to 6 m) bgs. 

Carswell AFB, Texas 

The U.S. Air Force Plant 4 (AFP4) and adjacent Naval Air Station, Fort Worth, Texas, has sustained 

contamination in an alluvial aquifer through the use of chlorinated solvents in the manufacture and 

assembly of military aircraft. Dispersion and transport of TCE and its degradation products have 

occurred, creating a plume of contaminated groundwater. This project is led by the U.S. Air Force 

(USAF) and is being conducted as part of the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Environmental Security 

Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 

(U.S. EPA’s) Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program. Planting and cultivation of 

Eastern Cottonwood (Populus deltoides) trees above a dissolved TCE plume in a shallow (under 12 ft) 

aerobic aquifer took place in spring 1996. The trees were planted as a short rotation woody crop 

employing standard techniques developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to grow biomass for 

energy and fiber. Data are being collected to determine the ability of the trees to perform as a natural 

pump-and-treat system. 

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 

Phytoremediation was selected to provide both hydraulic influence of the groundwater plume and mass 

removal of contaminants. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

95 

The plantation area being monitored is approximately 2034 m2 and contains 156 viable poplars. 1,1,2,2-

TCA and TCE are 90 percent of the contaminants (total approximately 260 ppm solvents). USGS 

estimated 7000 gals/day removal would achieve hydraulic influence. The duration of evaluation will be 

five years. 

Process Description — 

After agronomic assessment, two-year-old hybrid poplar 510 trees were planted 5 to 6 ft (1.6 to 2 m) deep 

in the spring of 1996. Surficial drainage system was installed to remove precipitation quickly and allowed 

trees to reach groundwater. 

Various sampling methods were employed during the 1998 growing season to determine if project 

objectives are being met. The methodologies, which yielded the most valuable data include: groundwater 

sampling; sap flow monitoring; tree transpiration gas and condensate sampling; and exposure pathway 

assessments. In addition to field sampling activities, new trees were planted on the site in October 1998 to 

increase the phytoremediation area and assess the usefulness of native species for phytoremediation. 

Figure 1: Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 

Caliper-Tree 

Plantation

Roaring Springs Road

Mature 

Cottonwood

Tree

Whip Plantation

Ground-Water

Flow Direction

Farmers Branch Creek

Golf Cart Path

50

Meters

0 25

WJEGTA519 WJEGTA522

WJEGTA517

WJEGTA514

WJEGTA524

WJEGTA520

WJEGTA523

WJEGTA507

WJEGTA508

WJEGTA509

WJEGTA526

WJEGTA525

WJEGTA516

WJEGTA521 WJEGTA503

WJEGTA502

WJEGTA513

WJEGTA505

WJEGTA518

WJEGTA501

WJEGTA527

WJEGTA515

WJEGTA506

WJEGTA504

WJEGTA528

WJEGTA512

WJEGTA529

WJEGTA510

WJEGTA511

EXPLANATION

 • MONITORING WELL: 

Well number indicates well 

was sampled throughout the 

entire location 

  STREAM-STAGE 

GAGE 

  TENSIOMETER 

NEST 

 

Ó MONITORING WELL 

WITH WATER-LEVEL 

RECORDER 

 WEATHER 

STATION 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

96 

Edward Sears Site, New Jersey 

In December 1996, 118 hybrid poplar saplings (Populus charkowiiensis x incrassata, NE 308) were 

planted in a plot approximately one-third of an acre in size. 

Poplar trees that were left over after the deep rooting was completed were planted to a depth of 3 ft (1 m), 

or shallow rooted. These trees were planted along the boundary of the site to the north, west, and east 

sides of the site. These trees will minimize groundwater and rainwater infiltration from off-site. 

Process Description— 

The trees were planted 10 ft (3 m) apart on the axis running from north to south and 12.5 ft (4 m) apart on 

the east-west axis. The trees were planted using a process called deep rooting: 12-ft (4 m) trees were 

buried nine feet under the ground so that only about 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 1 m) remained on the surface. This 

was done to enhance deep rooting of poplar trees in the zone of contamination, and to maximize uptake of 

groundwater compared to surface water. 

Monitoring of the site includes semi-annual analysis of groundwater, soils, soil gas, and 

evapotranspiration gas. Continued growth measurements will also be made as the trees mature. Site 

maintenance also involves fertilization, and control of insects, deer and unwanted vegetation. 

Carswell AFB, Texas 

This demonstration investigated eastern cottonwood trees planted as a short rotation woody crop to help 

remediate shallow aerobic TCE-contaminated groundwater in a subhumid climate. 

The study determined the ability of the planted system to hydraulically control the migration of 

contaminated groundwater, as well as biologically enhance the subsurface environment to optimize in situ

reductive dechlorination of the chlorinated ethenes. 

In addition to investigating changes in groundwater hydrology and chemistry, the trees were studied to 

determine important physiological processes such as rates of water usage, translocation and volatilization 

of volatile compounds, and biological transformations of chlorinated ethenes within the plant organs. 

Since planted systems may require many years to reach their full remediation potential, the study also 

made use of transpiration and hydrologic predictive models to extrapolate findings to later years. 

A mature cottonwood tree (about 20 years old) and section of the underlying aquifer located proximal to 

the study area were investigated to provide evidence of transpiration rates and geochemical conditions 

that eventually may be achieved at the site of the planted trees. 

This project was evaluated for its ability to reduce the mass of TCE that is transported across the 

downgradient end of the site (mass flux). The following performance objectives were established: (1) 

there would be a 30 percent reduction in the mass of TCE in the aquifer that is transported across the 

downgradient end of the site during the second growing season, as compared to baseline TCE mass flux 

calculations; and (2) there would be a 50 percent reduction in the mass of TCE in the aquifer that is 

transported across the downgradient end of the site during the third growing season, as compared to 

baseline TCE mass flux calculations. To evaluate the primary claim, groundwater levels were monitored 

and samples were collected and analyzed for TCE concentrations over the course of the study. 

Secondary objectives were addressed to help understand the processes that affect the downgradient 

migration of TCE in the contaminated aquifer at the site, as well as to identify scale-up issues. These 

secondary objectives include: determine tree growth rates and root biomass; analyze tree transpiration 

rates to determine current and future water usage; analyze the hydrologic effects of tree transpiration on 

the contaminated aquifer; analyze contaminant uptake into plant organ systems; evaluate geochemical 

indices of subsurface oxidation-reduction processes; evaluate microbial contributions to reductive 

dechlorination; collect data to determine implementation and operation costs for the technology; and 

determine plant enzyme levels for various mature trees in the local area. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

97 

Process description — 

In April 1996, the U.S. Air Force planted 660 eastern cottonwoods in a one acre area. The species P. 

deltoides was chosen over a hybridized species of poplar because it is indigenous to the region and has 

therefore proven its ability to withstand the Texas climate, local pathogens, and other localized variables 

that may affect tree growth and health. 

Two sizes of trees were planted: whips and 5-gallon (20 L) buckets. The 5-gallon bucket trees are 

expected to have higher evapotranspiration rates due to their larger leaf mass. 

Site managers plan to increase monitoring at the site to include a whole suite of water, soil, air, and tree 

tissue sample analysis. Some of the more unique data colleted (in relation to the other case study sites) are 

analyses of microbial populations and assays of TCE degrading enzymes in the trees. 

5. RESULTS AND EVALUATION 

Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 

1. Examination of groundwater level data revealed an area of depression within the poplar plantation 

indicating that hydraulic influence is occurring. Currently, the trees are removing approximately 

1,091 gallons per day (4,129 L/day) and at the end of 30 years are expected to remove approximately 

1,999 gallons per day (7,528 L/day). 

2. Groundwater sampling indicated that the contaminated plume has not migrated off-site during the 

growing seasons. 

3. There are no ecological impacts that are attributable to the plantation area. Sampling data have shown 

non-detectable off-site migration of emissions from transpiration gas. 

4. Peak transpiration is estimated to occur in approximately 10 to 15 years. 

5. Limitations include depth of contamination, but there are no limitations for concentrations of up to 

260 ppm for solvents. Weather and growing season are the most influential factors. 

6. Contaminant uptake is minimal at this time but is expected to improve as the trees mature. 

7. A groundwater model is under development to quantify the degree of containment generated by the 

trees. The model requires an accurate estimate of water withdrawal rates by the trees to determine if 

phytoremediation will work as a remedial alternative for the site. 

8. This demonstration project is on-going and will be further evaluated for efficacy and costs. 

Groundwater samples and elevations were collected, seasonally from the on-site wells to determine VOC 

concentrations and if trees were facilitating hydraulic influence of the plume. Results indicated that an 

area of drawdown exists within the tree zone during the spring and summer when tree transpiration is the 

greatest. In 1998, additional wells were installed using a Geoprobe® in order to more accurately assess 

VOC concentrations and groundwater elevation. A groundwater model is currently being developed to 

predict potential VOC removal by the trees and when complete hydraulic influence may be attained. 

Given the success of the groundwater sampling, the sampling objectives for 1999 included groundwater 

elevation monitoring and sampling and a continued effort to refine the groundwater model. 

Sap flow monitoring was performed to determine the amount of water being removed by individual trees. 

In order to increase monitoring accuracy, new sap flow probes were purchased which are placed directly 

into the tree tissue as opposed to resting on the trunk of the tree. Comparison of new equipment with 

previous methods indicates that the new methodology provides an even more accurate estimation of net 

transpiration rate with less data interference or “noise.” Future sampling objectives for the site include 

continued seasonal sap flow monitoring for the purposes of estimating transpiration rates. 

Seasonal tree transpiration gas and condensate sampling continued in the 1998 sampling season to assess 

the release of VOCs from the trees. Previous methods consisted of placing a 100-liter Tedlar® bag over a 

section of branch and then sampling the gas and any condensate trapped within the bag. This method was 

modified in 1998 with the addition of a cold trap which would potentially remove excess moisture from 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

98 

the bag and keep the leaves in a more ambient temperature. Comparison of the two methods, with and 

without cold trap, indicates that the cold trap apparatus may not be powerful enough to sufficiently cool 

the temperature within the bag. Future transpiration gas monitoring was planned for the 1999 sampling 

season with the addition of a modified cold trap attachment. 

Several studies were designed which examined exposure pathways. Leaves and soil were collected from 

the phytoremediation area and a reference area for a leaf degradation study. The study is designed to 

determine whether or not there are deleterious compounds retained within the study leaves or within the 

associated soil which could pose risk to an environmental receptor. The results of this study are still being 

analyzed. Additional studies involved nematode analyses which examined the trophic assemblage of the 

nematode community. Data collected in 1997 indicated that the nematode community was enhanced in 

the phytoremediation area as compared with data collected prior to the tree planting. 

No trees were planted in the 1999 sampling season. The objectives were: 1) to assess the phytoremediation capabilities of native Maryland species, tulip trees and silver maples, in addition to hybrid 

poplar trees; 2) to increase the area of hydraulic influence; 3) to diversify the age of trees to ensure 

continued containment and contaminant removal; and 4) to assess new planting methods. The last 

objective relates to the three tree excavations performed in the fall of 1998. Three trees were excavated 

and replanted in their same areas on the site to examine root depth and structure and whether or not the 

trees were utilizing groundwater. Examinations revealed that most tree roots appeared to be confined to 

the hole in which they were placed and did not appear to radiate extensively from this area. It did appear 

however, that the tree roots were deep enough to access the groundwater. Three new planting methods 

(i.e., hole sizes and widths) were employed for the new trees in an attempt to provide the tree roots with 

either increased depth, increased width or a combination of increased width and depth. Monitoring of 

these new trees during the 1999 sampling season attempted to discern the phytoremediation capabilities of 

the native species versus the hybrid poplars and to assess the growth of the new trees given the various 

planting methods employed for each. 

Edward Sears Site, New Jersey 

Over 40 direct push microwells were installed to monitor groundwater instead of temporary direct push 

wells. This will enabled frequent, seasonal monitoring of groundwater, at specific locations for 

comparable costs. 

Substantial reductions in dichloromethane identified after the second growing season in August 1998 

have been sustained as of August 1999. Concentrations at four locations were reduced from 490,000 

down to 615 ppb, 12,000 ppb to ND, 680 ppb to ND, and 420 to 1.2 ppb. At one location PCE dropped 

from 100 to 56 ppb, while TCE increased from 9 to 35 ppb. This may be indicative of anaerobic 

dechlorination in the root zone. At other locations TCE concentrations remained stable over the past three 

years, although a decrease from 99 to 42 ppb was noted at one well point. Trimethylbenzene (TMB) was 

reduced from 147 to 2 ppb, 246 to ND, 1900 to 50 ppb, and 8 to 1 ppb at four microwell points in the 

treated area. At another well point within the treated area, concentrations of TMB were relatively 

unaffected, 102 ppb in August 1997 compared to 128 in August 1999. Xylenes were also unaffected or 

slightly increased at this same location, 26 ppb in August 1997 compared to 34 ppb in August 1999. At 

two other locations, xylene concentrations dropped from 590 to 17 ppb, and from 56 to 1.4 ppb. 

The groundwater monitoring program will continue in 2000, with samples being collected in May, 

August and November. November sampling is being added to see if concentrations recover slightly 

during the dormant season. 

Sampling of evapotranspiration gases was conducted by placing Tedlar bags over branches on 6 selected 

trees. Five trees were in areas where groundwater was contaminated with different concentrations of 

target contaminants. The sixth tree was in an area known to be free of contamination. Evapotranspiration 

gasses were collected on an hourly basis, for four hours during the hottest period of the day. Low levels of 

toluene 8 to 11 ppb were detected in three of four samples from one tree and one of four discrete gas 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

99 

samples from another tree. No other target compounds were detected (DL of 8 ppb/v) in any other 

samples. 

Soil gas flux measurements were collected in conjunction with the evapotranspiration gas study. Samples 

collected indicated no contaminants being released to the air from the soils. 

During the initial two growing seasons, tree height and diameter were substantially lower in areas 

containing high concentrations of VOCs in groundwater. This adverse impact appears to have been 

reduced during the third (1999) growing season. Rate of growth increased significantly in the 

contaminated areas, however these trees have yet to achieve the overall height and diameter of trees 

planted in uncontaminated areas. Overall the trees in August 1998 averaged 17 ft (22 m) in height with a 

range from 3.5 to 25 ft (1 to 8 m). 

 

Carswell AFB, Texas 

Root biomass and extent were examined in September of 1997 in the whip and caliper-tree plantations. 

Four trees from each plantation were evaluated for fine root biomass and length, coarse root biomass. 

Coarse root mass was significantly greater in the caliper trees in the 3.0 to 10 mm range; 458 g per tree 

compared to 240 g per tree. Although the coarse root mass in the > 10 mm range was also greater in the 

caliper trees than in the whips, the difference was not statistically significant. Differences in the fine root 

biomass between the plantations were not statistically significant: 288 g/m2

 for whips compared to 273 

g/m2

 for caliper trees in the <0.5 mm range; 30 g/m2 for whips compared to 36 g/m2 for the caliper trees 

in the 0.5 to 1.0 mm range; and 60 g/m2

 for the whips compared to 91 g/m2 for the caliper trees in the 1.0 

to 3.0 mm range. Fine root length density in the upper 30 cm of soil was statistically greater in the caliper 

trees as compared. 

In the second growing season (September 1997), the roots of both the whips and caliper trees had reached 

the water table (275 cm for the whips and 225 cm for the caliper trees), and the depth distribution of the 

roots was quite similar. The more expensive planting costs of the caliper trees did not appear to impart 

any substantial benefit with regard to root depth and biomass. Observed differences between the whips 

and the caliper trees were reported to be due as much to inherent genotypic differences as to the different 

modes of establishment. 

The trees in both the whip and caliper-tree plantations at the demonstration site began to use water from 

the aquifer and measurably decrease the volumetric flux of contaminated groundwater leaving the site 

during the period of demonstration. The maximum reduction in the outflow of contaminated groundwater 

that could be attributed to the trees was approximately 12 percent and was observed at the peak of the 

third growing season. The reduction in the mass flux of TCE across the downgradient end of the treatment 

system at this time was closer to 11 percent because TCE concentrations were slightly higher during the 

third growing season than at baseline. The maximum observed drawdown of the water table occurred near 

the center of the treatment system at this time and was approximately 10 centimeters. A groundwater flow 

model (MODFLOW) developed by the USGS indicates that the volume of water that was transpired from 

the aquifer during the peak of the third growing season was probably closer to 20 percent of the initial 

volume of water that flowed through the site because there was an increase in groundwater inflow to the 

site due to an increase in the hydraulic gradient on the upgradient side of the drawdown cone. 

Tree-growth and root-growth data collected from the demonstration site are consistent with the observations of hydraulic influence of the trees on the contaminated aquifer. Trees in the whip plantation, which 

were planted approximately 1.25 m apart, were starting to approach canopy closure by the end of the third 

growing season. This observation indicates that the trees were transpiring a significant amount of water at 

this time. (A plantation approaches its maximum transpiration potential once it achieves a closed canopy 

because a closed canopy limits leaf area.) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

100 

The caliper trees were planted 2.5 m apart and although the plantation was not as close to achieving a 

closed canopy, individual caliper trees transpired just over twice the water that individual whips 

transpired. As a result, the volume of water that was transpired by the two plantations was similar because 

there were only half as many caliper trees as whips. 

The physiologically based model PROSPER, which was used to predict out-year transpiration rates at the 

demonstration site, indicates that there will be little difference in the amount of water that the whip and 

caliper tree plantations will transpire. Transpiration for each plantation is predicted to range from 25 to 48 

cm per growing season depending on climatic conditions, soil moisture, and root growth. Forty-eight to 

fifty-eight percent of this predicted evapotranspiration is predicted to be derived from the contaminated 

aquifer (saturated zone) regardless of the plantation. 

Since the phytoremediation system had not achieved maximum hydraulic control during the period of 

demonstration, the groundwater flow model was used to make predictions with regards to out-year 

hydraulic control. The groundwater flow model indicates that once the tree plantations have achieved a 

closed canopy, the reduction in the volumetric flux of contaminated groundwater across the downgradient 

end of the site will likely be between 20 and 30 percent of the initial amount of water that flowed through 

the site. The actual amount of water that will be transpired from the aquifer by the tree plantations will be 

closer to 50 to 90 percent of the volume of water that initially flowed through the site. The discrepancy 

between the reduction in the volumetric outflow of groundwater and the volume of water transpired from 

the aquifer can be attributed to the predicted increase in groundwater inflow to the site and the release of 

water from storage in the aquifer. No hydraulic control was observed during the dormant season from 

November to March for the demonstration site. 

The amount of hydraulic control that can be achieved by phytoremediation is a function of site-specific 

aquifer conditions. A planted system can be expected to have a greater hydrologic affect on an aquifer at a 

site that has an initially low volumetric flux of groundwater than at a site where the flux of contaminated 

groundwater is significantly greater. The parameters of hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic gradient, 

saturated thickness, and aquifer width in the treatment zone all contribute to the volumetric flux of 

groundwater through a site. The horizontal hydraulic conductivity at the demonstration site in Fort Worth, 

Texas is approximately 6 m/day. The natural hydraulic gradient is close to two percent and the saturated 

thickness of the aquifer is between 0.5 and 1.5 m. Volume of water in storage in an aquifer will also affect 

system performance. 

When designing for hydraulic control during phytoremediation, it is important to keep the remediation 

goals in mind. In other words, it may not be desirable to achieve full hydraulic control at a site if full 

control would adversely affect the groundwater/surface-water system downgradient of the site. At the 

demonstration site in Texas, the receptor is Farmers Branch Creek, which has very low flow (less than 1 

ft3

/sec or 3 cm3/s) during the summer months (period of peak transpiration). The optimal performance at 

such a site may be to keep the plume from discharging into the creek without drying up the creek, 

particularly since hydraulic control is only one mechanism that contributes to the cleanup of a 

groundwater plume by phytoremediation. A groundwater flow model of a potential site is ideal for 

addressing such design concerns. 

With respect to the fate of the contaminants that were taken up into the planted trees, TCE and its 

daughter products were commonly detected in tissue samples of roots, stems and leaves. Generally, there 

was an increase over time in the percentage of planted trees in which the compounds were detected. Stem 

tissue generally exhibited the greatest diversity and concentration of chlorinated compounds. A research 

team investigated the kinetics of transformation of TCE for leaf samples collected from seven trees 

(cedar, hackberry, oak, willow, mesquite, cottonwood whip, cottonwood caliper tree). Each of the plant 

species investigated appears to have properties that are effective in degrading TCE. Specifically, all leaf 

samples showed dehalogenase activity. Pseudo first-order rate constants were determined for the samples. 

The average and standard deviation for all seven rate constants is 0.049±0.02 per hour. This corresponds 

to a half life of 14.1 hours. These kinetics are fast relative to other environmental transport and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

101 

transformation processes with the exception of volatilization for TCE. As a result, it is unlikely that 

degradation within the trees will be the rate limiting step during phytoremediation. These data suggest 

that it may better to use species that are native to a proposed site rather than genetically altered plants that 

are designed to enhance metabolism of TCE. 

With respect to biologically induced reductive dechlorination, there is evidence that the aquifer beneath 

the planted trees was beginning to support anaerobic microbial communities capable of biodegradation of 

TCE within three years of planting. Specifically, microbial data from soil and groundwater samples 

indicate that the microbial community beneath the planted trees had begun to move towards an 

assemblage capable of supporting reductive dechlorination during the demonstration period. In addition, 

dissolved oxygen concentrations had decreased and total iron concentrations had increased at the southern 

end of the whip plantation where the water table is closest to land surface. The ratio of TCE to cis-1,2-

DCE had also decreased at this location beneath the whip plantation, which suggests that the shift toward 

anaerobic conditions in this part of the aquifer was beginning to support the biodegradation of TCE. 

Significant contaminant reduction by this mechanism, however, had not occurred across the 

demonstration site by the end of the demonstration period. 

Data from the aquifer beneath a mature cottonwood tree near the planted site support the conclusion that 

reductive dechlorination can occur beneath cottonwood trees with established root systems. The ratio of 

TCE to cis-1,2-DCE beneath the mature tree was typically one order of magnitude less than elsewhere at 

the site during the demonstration. The microbial population in the area of the mature cottonwood tree 

included a vibrant community that supported both hydrogen oxidizing and acetate fermenting 

methanogens. This active anaerobic population is assumed to be responsible for the decrease in TCE 

concentration and the generation of daughter products beneath the mature cottonwood tree. 

Preliminary field data collected during the fifth dormant season (January 2001) indicate that the trees 

were finally beginning to have a widespread effect on the geochemistry of the ground water. During this 

season, dissolved oxygen concentrations were above 4.5 mg/L in water from all upgradient wells and one 

well between the tree plantations (well 522). Whereas, they were below 3.5 mg/L in water from all other 

wells at the demonstration site, including wells that are over 50 m downgradient of the planted area. The 

mean dissolved oxygen concentration in water from all wells, excluding the upgradient wells and well 

522, was 1.76 mg/L. The dissolved oxygen concentration in several wells beneath the planted trees was 

less than 1 mg/L. In addition, preliminary field data indicate that ferrous iron and/or sulfide 

concentrations were elevated in several locations beneath and immediately downgradient of the tree 

plantations. These data add to the body of evidence that the planted trees at the demonstration site can 

stimulate microbial activity that results in the depletion of dissolved oxygen in the aquifer and the 

creation of local anaerobic conditions conducive to microbial reductive dechlorination (Eberts, et al., In 

press). These data also support the conclusion that the ground-water system was still in a state of 

transition after 5 years. Hansen (1993) reports that soil carbon is significantly related (positive) to tree age 

and that there is a net addition of soil carbon from plantations older than about 6 to 12 years of age. 

Even though reductive dechlorination has been observed around the mature tree, the presence of TCE 

daughter products, as well as residual TCE, indicate that the reductive dechlorination process has not fully 

mineralized the contaminants of concern to innocuous compounds. There is no field evidence from this 

study that suggest complete in situ biodegradation of TCE and its daughter products can be achieved. 

6. COSTS

Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland 

Site Preparation (?): $5,000 

Capital: $80,000 for UXO clearance of soil during planting; $80/tree. 

Operation and maintenance: $30,000 due to no established monitoring techniques 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

102 

Edward Sears Site, New Jersey 

Site Preparation: $24,000 

Planting: $65,700 

Maintenance: $15,300 

Total: $105,000 

1997 Maintenance: $26,000 

1998 Maintenance: $14,000 (Maintenance cost will drop substantially after trees are established) 

Monitoring/analysis: 50 groundwater stations, soil gas, soils, hydrogeological parameters, weather, 

transpiration gas, reports, etc. Monitoring costs should also reduce annually as study techniques become 

more refined. 

1997: $72,800 

1998: $61,600 

1999: $42,000 

Carswell AFB, Texas 

Preparatory Work 

Site Characterization: $12,000 

Site Design: $10,000 

Site Work: 

Monitoring (research level) well installation: $90,000 

Development of Plantations –1 acre (includes landscaping costs): $41,000 

Weather Station: $3,100 

Survey: $25,000 

Purchase of Trees 

Whips ($0.20 each): $100 

Five-gallon buckets ($18 each): $2,000 

 

Installation of Irrigation System: $10,000 

Yearly O&M: 

Landscaping: $2,000 

Groundwater, soil, vegetation, transpiration, climate, soil moisture, and water-level monitoring (research 

level): $250,000 

The planting costs at Carswell are significantly less than proprietary planting techniques employed by the 

vendors that involve auguring down to the capillary fringe and other engineered methods for individual 

tree planting. 

After Treatment: None 

7. REFERENCE 

Eberts, S., G. Harvey, S. Jones, and S. Beckman, In press. A Multiple Process Assessment of 

Phtoremediation of a Chlorinated Solvent Plume at a Subhumid Field Site, John Wiley and Sons. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

103 

Project No. 16 

In-Situ Heavy Metal Bioprecipitation 

Location 

Industrial site in Belgium 

Project Status 

Final 

Contaminants 

Heavy metals (zinc, 

cadmium, arsenic, lead, 

chromium, nickel, 

copper), sulphate 

Technology Type 

In-situ

bioremediation 

(reactive zone or 

biobarrier) 

Project Dates 

Accepted 1999 

Final report 2002 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technical Contact 

Dr. Ludo Diels 

Dr. Leen Bastiaens 

Ir Karolien Vanbroekhoven 

Flemish Institute for 

Technological Research 

(Vito) 

Boeretang 200 

B-2400 Mol 

Belgium 

Tel: +32 14 33 51 00 

Fax: +32 14 58 05 23 

Costs Documented? 

No 

Project Size 

Laboratory, 

Pilot/full-scale 

Results Available? 

Yes 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The industrial world is facing many problems concerning soils and groundwater with heavy metal 

pollution. This pollution is mainly due to mining activities and non-ferrous activities by e.g. the metal 

refining, metal processing, and surface treatment industries. Immobilization followed by fytostabilization 

has been shown to be effective for treating polluted soil in order to reduce the risk of heavy metals being 

spread around by wind erosion or leaching from the soil into the groundwater (Van der Lelie et al., 1998). 

But what about groundwater that has already been contaminated with heavy metals? 

When dealing with dissolved inorganic contaminants, such as heavy metals, the required process 

sequence in a ‘pump & treat’ system to remove the dissolved heavy metals present in the groundwater 

becomes very complex and costly. In addition, the disposal of the metallic sludge, in most cases as a 

hazardous waste, is also very cost prohibitive. Therefore, in situ treatment methods capable of achieving 

the same mass removal reactions for dissolved contaminants in an in situ environment are evolving and 

gradually gaining prominence in the remediation industry. 

In this project a relatively innovative technique will be studied for in situ treatment of groundwater 

containing heavy metals. Through stimulation of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRBs) in aquifers and 

groundwater heavy metals can be bioprecipitated, hereby reducing the risk of further spreading of the 

metals. The feasibility of this technique will be evaluated for 2 different industrial sites in Belgium. Insitu bioprecipitation of heavy metals can be implemented as a biological reactive zone or biowall. The 

concept of in situ reactive zones is based on the creation of a subsurface zone where migrating 

contaminants are intercepted and permanently immobilised into harmless end products. 

2. SITE DESCRIPTION 

On industrial site 1 (metal smelter) high concentrations of zinc (10-150 mg/l), cadmium (0.4-4 mg/l) and 

arsenic (20-270 μg/l) are present in the groundwater. Also relatively high concentrations of sulphate (400-

700 mg/l) were measured, which is favourable for SRB-activities. Groundwater samples taken further 

away from the source have lower metals and sulphate concentrations. 

Industrial site 2 (surface treatment) has serious chromium (up to 8300 μg/l), zinc (up to 78 mg/l), lead (up 

to 72 μg/l), nickel (up to 3500 μg/l), copper (92 mg/l) and cadmium (up to 17 mg/l) problems in the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

104 

groundwater. Very high sulphate (up to 3000 mg/l) concentrations are also present. This groundwater has 

also a very low pH (between 2 and 4). 

Industrial site 3 (landfill) has a serious As (up to 1,200 μg As/l) and Zn (up to 880 μg Zn/l) in the 

leachate. Also high sulphate (up to 3,800 mg/l) concentrations are present. The pH was between 2.6 and 

6.0. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS 

Bioprecipitation Process: 

In-situ precipitation of heavy metals and sulphates is a method based on stimulation of SRBs by 

supplementing an appropriate electron donor. Addition of extra nutrients (N and P) might also be required 

for good growth of the bacteria. In the presence of a suitable electron donor (for instance acetate) SRBs 

reduce sulphates to sulphites and further to sulphides, which then form stable and rather insoluble metal 

sulphides: 

CH3COOH + SO4

2- ==> 2 HCO3-

 + HS- + H+ 

H2S + Me++ ==> MeS + 2 H+

A good in situ bioprecipitation process however can only be obtained under the following conditions: 

• Sulphate reducing bacteria (SRBs) must be present in the aquifer. In case no SRBs are present among 

the autochthonous micro-population in the aquifer, appropriate micro-organisms have to be 

introduced in the aquifer. 

• Sulphate should be available at a sufficiently high concentration. 

• Also nutrients and an appropriate electron donor such as methanol, ethanol, molasses, acetate or 

lactate are required. 

• No oxygen should be present and a low redox potential (Eh) is necessary. 

The applicability of in-situ bioprecipitation of heavy metals on sites should therefor be evaluated case by 

case. 

Outline of the Project: 

1. Preliminary study 

• Site evaluation 

2. Lab-scale treatability testing in batch and column experiments 

• The presence of SRBs in the aquifers will be examined by microbial countings, measurements of 

SRB-activity and PCR-technology. 

• Selection of a suitable organic substrate 

• Determination of optimal physico-chemical conditions: required concentration of the electron 

donor, nutrients requirement, sulphate requirements, influence of temperature, ... 

• As the effectiveness of a reactive zone is determined largely by the relationship between the 

kinetics of the target reactions and the rate at which the mass flux of contaminants passes through 

it with the moving groundwater, kinetics of metal removal from groundwater will be examined. 

• The stability of the formed metal sulphides will be checked. 

• Further is clogging due to biomass production and metal precipitates an important issue that has 

to be evaluated. 

3. Field demo on pilot or full scale 

4. Monitoring 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

105 

4. RESULTS/COSTS 

The first preliminary studies and site investigations were done. Afterwards groundwater and (undisturbed) 

aquifer material samples were taken and investigated in batch systems under different conditions in order 

to follow redox potential and the reduction of the dissolved metals. Special attention was paid to the 

isolation of SRBs and the identification with special probes (study under way). In the project acetate was 

chosen as carbon source (no explosion danger like methanol, not contaminated by other impurities like 

molasse). Different concentrations of acetate were added and the SRB Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

Dd8301 was added as a positive control. The results for the removal of Zn at the first site are presented in 

Table 1. It can be concluded that without addition of a carbon source or by inhibiting the bacterial activity 

(addition of HgCl2) nearly no Zn removal could be obtained. The addition of a low concentration of 

acetate lead to a reduction of Zn from 10700 μg Zn/l to 213 μg Zn/l. In the same groundwater As and Cd 

were also removed and precipitated. The addition of too high concentrations of acetate did not lead to 

metal removal because the methanogenic bacteria dominated the scene (very high gas production was 

observed). The addition of a specific SRB could in some cases only reduce the lag time of the bacterial 

growth. In the last condition no groundwater was used and only aquifer in water. It was observed that 

some metals from the aquifer material were solubilised and afterwards precipitated by the added 

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans Dd8301. Metals were removed only in those conditions where the redox 

potential was below –220 mV. 

At site 1 the metal removal of a lower contaminated groundwater (further away from the source) was 

evaluated too. The sulphate concentrations were also quite low and this showed to be not favourable for 

the SRB-bacteria. Only in the case of added SRBs the metals could be removed. 

Table 1: Zn Removal by In-situ Bioprecipitation Under Different Conditions for site 1 

T0 T4 T8 T12 

Total In 

solution Total In solution Total In solution Total In solution 

aquifer + groundwater 100,000 101,000 82,100 87,600 80,900 79,200 67,300 62,600

aquifer + groundwater 

+ 0.5 mM HgCl2

107,000 109,000 98,000 104,000 97,800 94,200 76,800 73,200

aquifer + groundwater 

+ 1 ml K-acetate 

(25%) 

107,000 109,000 96,100 99,600 85,500 82,800 213 101

aquifer + grondwater + 

5 ml K-acetate (25%) 101,000 103,000 103,000 102,000 112,000 109,000 101,000 96,100

aquifer + grondwater + 

1 ml K-acetate (25%) 

+ Dd8301 

94,500 93,100 82,600 86,500 77,500 77,200 62,400 59,000

aquifer + grondwater + 

5 ml K-acetate (25%) 

+ Dd8301 

96,000 96,100 92,800 95,300 105,000 91,600 88,200 86,000

aquifer + Postgate C 

medium + Dd8301 1680 885 1570 334 50 10 57 41

At the second test site the sulphate concentrations were quite low (200 mg SO4

2-/l). Only after the 

addition of extra sulphate (2000 mg SO4

2-/l) or of zero valent iron the redox could be reduced to below –

200 mV. The redox conditions are presented in table 2. Table 3 shows the removal of Ni from the 

groundwater by bioprecipitation. The above mentioned conditions lead to complete Ni removal. Note that 

the conditions without carbon source or with inhibition of the bacterial activity (addition of HgCl2) did 

not lead to metal removal. Also Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd could be removed. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

106 

Table 2: Redox Potential Under Different Conditions for Groundwater from test site 2 

Test conditions T0 T1 T4 T8 T12 T19 

R1: aquifer + GW 197 mV 201 mV 203 mV 181 mV 235 mV 247 mV 

R2: aquifer + GW + HgCl2 325 mV 316 mV 341 mV 309 mV 315 mV 301 mV 

R3: aquifer + GW + K-acetate 175 mV 173 mV 132 mV 159 mV 198 mV 143 mV 

R4: aquifer + GW + K-acetate + 

Dd8301 229 mV 197 mV 290 mV 250 mV 145 mV 142 mV 

R5: aquifer + GW + Postgate C + 

K-acetate + Dd8301 88 mV 44 mV -308 mV -322 mV -284 mV -316 mV 

R6: Aquifer + GW + FeA4 221 mV 144 mV 6 mV 32 mV 143 mV 73 mV 

R7: aquifer + GW + HgCl2 + 

FeA4

303 mV 278 mV -212 mV -208 mV -168 mV -88 mV 

R8: aquifer + GW + K-acetate + 

FeA4

138 mV -129 mV -402 mV -189 mV -460 mV -380 mV 

R9: aquifer + GW + K-acetate + 

FeA4 + Dd8301 106 mV -398 mV -246 mV -229 mV -241 mV -198 mV 

NOTES: 5 ml K-acetate (25%); Postgate C 10X concentrated; 10 g FeA4 

T0: at time zero; T1: after 1 week; T4: after 1 month; T8: after 2 months; T12: after 3 months; T19: after 5 

months. 

 

Table 3: Ni Concentrations at Different Conditions from Groundwater from test site 2 

T0 T1 T4 T8 T12 Test conditions Tot. Sol. Tot. Sol. Tot. Sol. Tot. Sol. Tot. Sol. 

R1: aquifer+GW 62 54 52 45 80 81 56 53 65 74 

R2: aquifer+GW+HgCl2 54 45 44 42 68 70 93 63 69 74 

R3: aquifer+GW+Kacetate 62 52 45 51 62 66 33 28 73 16 

R4: aquifer+GW+ 

K-acetate+Dd8301 

37 34 54 60 100 86 65 70 78 74 

R5: aquifer+GW+ 

Postgate C+K-acetate+ 

Dd8301 

424 82 270 103 3.2 0.65 3.4 <2.5 22 1.1 

R6: aquifer+GW+FeA4 57 51 51 34 1.2 1.2 6.7 2.8 3.1 2.2 

R7: aquifer+GW+HgCl2

+FeA4

65 51 72 63 6.5 1.0 16 2.8 7.5 1.2 

R8: aquifer+GW+Kacetate+FeA4

48 33 28 <20 1.3 1.9 4.6 <2.5 3.9 1.9 

R9: aquifer+GW+Kacetate+FeA4+Dd8301 

34 24 42 25 1.3 7.7 9.2 <2.5 28 1.5 

NOTES: 

Total: metals are measured in the groundwater after acidification; Sol.: metals are measured in the 

groundwater after filtration (metals bound to suspended solids are not measured). 

5 ml K-acetate (25%); Postgate C 10X concentrated; 10 g FeA4; Concentrations below the remediation 

standard (20 μg/L) are presented in bold. 

T0: at time zero; T1 after 1 week; T4 after 1 month; T8 after 2 months; T12 after 3 months. 

Both projects will continue by the start of column experiments under the most optimal conditions. These 

tests will allow to determine the kinetics of the remediation system and this information is necessary for 

the optimal design of the pilot project in the field. The results will be presented in a new publication. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

107 

At test site 3 the As concentrations were so high (< 6000 mg As/l) that no As removal could be obtained 

with the in situ bioprecipiation method. However in an other groundwater well where the As 

concentration in the groundwater was much lower a sulphate reducing potential could be indicated. These 

results are presented in figure 4. The results show that the addition of a electron donor as acetate will 

induce the sulphate reduction process. The reduction of a redox manipulating compound will also 

positively influence the arsenic immobilisation process. 

Table 4. As concentrations at different conditions from groundwater from test site 3 

Conditons T0 T4 T6 T7 T16 

groundwater 8480 

aquifer + groundwater 7170 3780 971 4940 2890 

aquifer + groundwater + 0.5 mM HgCl2 5910 1560 1030 2060 804 

aquifer + groundwater + 1 ml K-acetate (25%) 5750 3190 817 481 605 

aquifer + groundwater + 1 ml K-acetate (25%) + 

Dd8301 

5560 3420 679 145 1120 

aquifer + groundwater + Postgate C medium 10x + 

1 ml K-acetate (25%) + Dd8301 

5750 1610 608 61 246 

aquifer + groundwater + Postgate C medium 10x + 

1 ml K-acetate (25%) 

5230 1770 591 281 151 

aquifer + groundwater + RMC 5290 2740 2250 1460 398 

aquifer + groundwater + 0.5 mM HgCl2 + RMC 5730 1550 1190 547 156 

aquifer + groundwater + RMC + 1 ml K-acetate 

(25%) 

5070 2710 805 140 228 

aquifer + groundwater + RMC + 1 ml K-acetate 

(25%) + Dd8301 

6230 2140 60 113 136 

NOTES: 

RMC: redox manipulating compound; Tx : x number of weeks of incubation; xx : black precipitates of iron 

sulphide. 

5. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

For safety reasons no methanol was used and all the tests were performed with acetate as electron donor. 

The study must show now that the use of acetate is an applicable alternative. In the mean time many good 

results were also obtained with molasses and HRC® (Hydrogen Release Compounds). In a separate 

publication the results of a comparative study will be presented. This study will compare the obtained 

metal removal efficiencies, kinetics, irreversibility and costs related to the use of acetate, molasses and 

HRC®. 

6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

For environmental reasons, no molasses or compost extract was used. The product contained 

undetermined impurities that contaminated the ground after infiltration in the aquifer. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

108 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

For environmental reasons some question marks were placed behind the use of molasse or compost 

extracts. These products contain undetermined impurities that will contaminate the groundwater with 

some unknown COD. Further studies are underway to evaluate the impact of compounds as molasses on 

the environment. 

8. CONCLUSIONS 

The batch tests showed for the three sites the feasibility of metals removal from groundwater by the 

induction in situ bioprecipitation. However some conditions are important. The sulphate concentration 

must be high enough (i.e. < 200 mg sulphate/l). otherwise only hydrogen can be used as electron donor. 

This can be achieved by the addition of HRC®. If the pH is low (< 4) than it becomes difficult to reduce 

the redox and to start the sulphate reducing process. In this case some redox manipulating compounds 

were added and once the redox dropped the sulphate reduction started. In case of high metals 

concentrations some toxicity can be inhibit the sulphate reduction process. However this is only the case 

with quite high metal or metalloid concentrations. In a going on pilot project the removal of metals 

followed the chemistry of the metal sulphides i.e. first precipitation of Cd, followed by Zn, Co and finally 

Ni. 

It is very important to evaluate the irreversibility of the metal precipitation process. This can be done by a 

sequential extraction of the metals from the aquifer material. Studies are underway in order to evaluate 

the differences of the metal binding to the aquifer under aerobic versus anaerobic conditions.

9. REFERENCES 

1. Corbisier, P. Thiry E., Masolijn A. and Diels L. (1994) Construction and development of metal ion 

biosensors. In Campbell A.K., Cricka L.J., Stanley P.E. eds. Bioluminescence and 

Chemoluminescence : Fundamentals and Applied Aspects. Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto, 

Singapore. John Wiley and Sons pp150-155. 

2. Corbisier, P., Thiry, E., Diels, L.(1996) Bacterial biosensors for the toxicity assessment of solid 

wastes, Environmental Toxicology and Water Quality: an international Journal, 11, 171-177. 

3. Diels, L., Dong, Q., van der Lelie, D. Baeyens, W., Mergeay, M. (1995) The czc operon of 

Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34: from resistance mechanism to the removal of heavy metal. J. Ind. 

Microbiol. 14, 142-153. 

4. Diels, L. (1997) Heavy metal bioremediation of soil in methods in Biotechnology, Vol. 2: 

Bioremediation Protocols, edited by O. Sheehan Humana Press Inc. Totowa, NJ. 

5. Diels, L. (1990) Accumulation and precipitation of Cd and Zn ions by Alcaligenes eutrophus CH34 

strains, in Biohydrometallurgy (Salley, J., McCready, R.G.L., and Wichlacs, P.Z., eds.), CANMET 

SP89-10, 369-377. 

6. Mergeay, M. 1997. Microbial resources for bioremediation of sites polluted by heavy metals. In 

perspectives in Bioremediation p. 65-73 Ed. J.R. Wildcet al. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The 

Netherlands. 

7. Van der Lelie, D., L. Diels, J. Vangronsveld, H. Clijsters. 1998. De metaalwoestijn herleeft. 

Het ingenieursblad 11/12. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

109 

Project No. 17 

GERBER Site 

Location 

SERMAISE - Department of 

ESSONNE - ILE DE 

FRANCE Region 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Media

Soil and groundwater 

Technology Type 

Excavation and 

treatment of waste

Technical Contact 

Christian Militon 

ADEME 

BP 406 

49004 ANGERS CEDEX 01 – 

France 

Project Dates 

06/1999 

07/2002 

Contaminants 

Complex contamination: solvents (BTEX and 

chlorinated); PCBs; phénols, phthalates; Pb, 

Zn 

Project Size 

Full-scale

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. Project 17 has ended, and risk 

assessment results are in hand. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The GERBER site was operated since the beginning of the fifties until 1993 as a solvent regeneration 

plant. Until 1972, one or two lagoons have been used to dumps residues of the activities. In 1972-1973, 

an unknown but very significant quantity of drums was buried on the site. In 1983, the pollution of the 

drinking water well of the village of SERMAISE by chlorinated organics was attributed to the GERBER 

site located in the vicinity and a first preliminary investigation revealed buried drums with organic and 

chlorinated material. 

Nothing happened during the following years because the polluter didn’t have the financial capability to 

carry out significant depollution action. In 1992, in connection with the new legal and financial system 

created to deal with (orphan) site, a first clean up project was carried out by ADEME. The project 

consisted in the excavation of the main part of the buried drum area; 3,700 drums were excavated and 

treated and approximatively 14,000 tons of polluted soil was confined on the site. The treatment of this 

polluted soil was carried out in 1998-1999; 10,650 tons of polluted soil were treated on site by solvent 

washing and 5,850 tons that were less polluted were landfilled (hazardous waste landfill (classe 1)). The 

total cost of these first phases of cleanup is about 10 millions euros. 

2. THE PREVIOUS PROJECT IN 1999

In addition to the first phase rehabilitation works presented above, it was clear that the remaining part of 

the site was still heavily polluted with not so much drums but with buried waste corresponding to the 

ancient lagoons and associated polluted soil and groundwater. Therefore an impact and risk assessment 

study was carried out in 1998 that characterized the remaining pollution: 

• high concentrations of pollutants still cover 70% of the site 

• highly contaminated soil was found to a depth of approximately 4-5 m 

• total volume of polluted soil is estimated 50-75,000 m3

. 

The impact study and modeling showed that the migration of the pollutants in the groundwater seems to 

be limited and that a two stages natural attenuation occurs: aerobic degradation of BTEX and then 

reductive dechlorination of chlorinated solvents. Based on these first results it was decided to prepare a 

new phase of evaluation and corrective action. The objectives of this new phase were to: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

110 

• improve the knowledge of the contamination source and to prepare the clean up of the remaining hot 

spots 

• complete the evaluation of the transfer of the pollution in the air and in the groundwater with a 

detailed characterization of the mechanisms of the natural attenuation. Then, after this assessment of 

the efficiency and limits of the process of natural attenuation an additional project of in situ source 

reduction will be studied in order to have finally a restoration system able to reduce the risks to 

acceptable levels. 

3. THE SITUATION IN 2002 

The results from complementary investigations and the evolution of the quality of groundwaters shown: 

• the discovery of around 2,000 drums full of hazardous wastes, buried just near the area excavated in 

1992, but not detected during the previous investigations 

• a previously undetected plume with VOH in the chalk water table which flows eastward out of the 

site, even though on the site and immediately downstream, the pollutants are the intermediate 

products resulting from the degradation of the VOH. The main pollutants found in the plume are the 

primary solvents, which characterize the site (TCE, PCE, and CCl4). It is possible that the natural 

attenuation proved on the site is impossible in some areas out of the site 

The new policy about remediation versus risk assessment conduct the French Ministry of Environment to 

stop the remediation to the end of 2002, waiting for the results of a new risk assessment study and a 

modeling, and asking for a better monitoring, because today the risks for human health and the 

environment are not considered as proved. 

4. REFERENCE 

Definition of corrective actions taking into account natural attenuation and risk assessment approach, 

former Etablissement Chimique du Hurepoix Site in SERMAISE -France - NATO CCMS meeting 

ANGERS May 1999. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

111 

Project No. 18 

SAFIRA 

Location 

Bitterfeld, Germany 

Project Status 

Final Report 

Contaminants 

Chlorinated 

hydrocarbons, 

chlorobenzene 

Technology Type 

Nine innovative 

approaches in situ for 

application 

Project Dates 

7/1999 - 6/2002 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technical Contact 

Dr. Holger Weiss 

UFZ-Centre for Environmental 

Research 

Permoserstrasse 15

D-04318 Leipzig 

Germany

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Pilot-scale 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 18 was completed in 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Approximately 75% of the drinking water in Germany is extracted from available groundwater resources. 

For this reason the protection of this essential resource is of a special interest. At many industrial sites in 

Germany inadequate waste disposal, leakages and war damages have led to the contamination of the 

subsurface with various contaminants, which in some instances led to groundwater contaminations on a 

regional scale.

The experiences of the last 20 years show, that standard hydraulic soil and groundwater remediation 

methods, such as pump-and-treat, in most cases do not lead to satisfactory results. This is even more true 

for large scale subsurface contaminations, where the source area of the contamination can either not 

exactly be localized or not be readily removed. 

In order to avoid a permanent extraction and the subsequent treatment of contaminated groundwater, 

intensive research efforts in the last years have concentrated on the development of cheaper innovative in 

situ technologies, which focus on the removal or the degradation of contaminants in the aquifer. In 

contrast to ‘active’ technologies, which mainly focus on the source areas, ‘passive’ technologies are 

characterized by little or virtually no energy input during the remediation measure. Passive technologies 

have the advantage that operation costs, during the inevitably long remediation times, can be drastically 

reduced. The most advanced type of passive remediation techniques are in situ reactive barriers. For 

single contaminants or simple contaminant cocktails (e.g. PAH or VOC) reactive barriers are already 

implemented at several sites. 

One example of a regional contamination of an aquifer is the Bitterfeld industrial complex in SaxonyAnhalt, Germany. For more than 100 years the activities in open cast lignite mining and the related 

chemical industries have had a serious impact on soil and groundwater quality. While the soil 

contamination is generally limited to the premises of the former industrial sites and landfills, the 

groundwater has regionally been contaminated over an area of approximately 25 km2 with a total volume 

of approx. 200 million m3. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The goal of SAFIRA (Sanierungs-Forschung in regional kontaminierten Aquiferen), a joint project of 

several research partners is to develop and to provide the necessary technologies and methodologies to 

demonstrate the successful implementation of in situ reactive barriers in regionally contaminated aquifers. 

The Bitterfeld–Wolfen region was chosen as an example of an area with a large scale and complex 

groundwater contamination. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

112 

Due to the extended time frame of field testing and the yet limited knowledge about the economical 

factors involved, the SAFIRA research project, in contrast to many other research projects, compares 

several potentially successful groundwater treatment technologies concomitantly. Research groups from 

the UFZ Leipzig, as well as the universities of Tübingen, Dresden, Kiel, Leipzig and Halle are involved in 

a joint research effort sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Science and Education (BMBF). 

Within the framework of the remediation research program of the UFZ Leipzig there are also links to 

several international cooperation partners. Among them is a consortium from the Netherlands, led by 

TNO. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

In order to address all important aspects of this innovative remediation approach the SAFIRA project is 

subdivided into several thematic branches (see Table 1). In addition to the aspects of scientific-technical 

implementation, economical evaluation as well as subsequent land use and legal aspects are being 

addressed. In the scope of the project, special emphasis is put on the possibility that innovative 

approaches and at least parts of the results obtained by the individual research partners can be transferred 

to other contaminant scenarios in and outside of Germany. 

The overall aim of the research project includes: 

• the development and the successive implementation of innovative low energy or passive water 

treatment technologies for mixed organic groundwater contaminations from prototypes to full-scale 

technical in situ application 

• the technical-economical optimization of the individual technologies as well as possible combinations 

including the structural aspects of their implementation in in situ reactive barriers 

• the demonstration of the longevity of the new technologies in the field and the determination of their 

actual operation cost 

• the assessment of the legal and ecological aspects of the implementation of a reactive barrier system, 

exemplary for the Bitterfeld Region 

• the development of economical application strategies for the most promising technologies 

Based on either a successful performance in a mobile testing unit or on promising results in lab 

experiments the following eight approaches were selected to be tested in large scale in situ application: 

1. Biodegradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in a sequential anaerobic/micro-aerobic system 

2. Adsorption and simultaneous microbiological degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons on activated 

carbon 

3. Degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons using palladium coated Y-zeolites 

4. Oxidizing metal catalysts 

5. Membrane supported palladium catalysts 

6. Redox-combination reactors 

7. Activated carbon filtration 

8. Anaerobic microbiological degradation of contaminants 

One important aspect of the SAFIRA concept is the in situ pilot facility, which has to guarantee that the 

selected treatment technologies can be tested under realistic in situ conditions. The pilot facility in 

Bitterfeld, which houses a total of 20 reactors, consists of five shafts with a depth of 23 m, a diameter of 3 

m and a shaft-to-shaft distance of 19 m, which were placed in a line perpendicular to the local 

groundwater flow direction and an on site laboratory building (Figsures 1 and 2). Construction at the site 

was completed in March 1999 and the pilot facility was officially opened in fall 1999. 

Depending on the technologies of interest the sizes of the reactors range from 1-6 m in length and 150-

1400 mm in diameter. The reactors are designed for a permanent system pressure of 3 bars and are 

operated in a flow-through mode from bottom to top. Flow rates can be varied, up to 400 l/h.
Table 1: SAFIRA Project is subdivided into several thematic research branches, each including related research projects. 

SAFIRA Pilot Plant UFZ Leipzig

Laboratory: Dr. Feist

Technical Support: Dr. Ahlheim

Technical Secretary R. Trabitzsch

Technical Secretary Dr. P. Merkel

Database Management Dr. L. Blasberg

UFZ Leipzig

Project A2.1 Dr. Rückert

Determination of degradation metabolites

University of Tübingen

Project B1.1 Prof. Dr. Grathwohl

Activated carbon filtration in situ reactors

University of Dresden

Project B1.2 Prof. Dr.Werner

Adsorption and microbiological degradation on activated carbon

University of Kiel

Project B1.3 Prof. Dahmke

Combination of redox reactors

UFZ Leipzig

Project B2.1 Dr. Vogt

Anaerobic/microaerophilic degradation

UFZ Leipzig

Project B3.1 Prof. Dr. Kopinke

Membrane supported Pd catalysts

University of Tübingen

Project B3.2 Dr. Schüth

Zeolite-supported Pd-catalysts

University of Leipzig

Project B3.3 Dr. Hofmann

Oxidative solid metal catalysts

University of Tübingen

Project B4.1 PD Dr. Liedl

Reactive transport in technical reactors

TNO

Dr. Staps

Anaerobic / Mircoaerobic degadation

Reactor Technology

UFZ-Leipzig

Project C1.1 Dr. Geistlinger

Direct oxygen gas injection in aquifers

University of Tübingen

Project C2.1 PD Dr. Ptak

Determination of contaminant fluxes

Aquifer and Immission Modelling

UFZ-Leipzig

Project D1.1 Dr. Altenb

Ecotoxicological evaluation of in s

University of Halle

Project E1.1 Prof. Dr. W

Enviromental impact asse

University of Tübinge

Project E2.1 Prof.Dr. Te

Technical - economical evaluation o

Environmental/Economical Aspects

Research Domains

Project Management

UFZ Leipzig Dr. H. Weiß

Universität Tübingen Prof. Dr. G. Teutsch

Project A1.1/A1.2

Scientific Advisory Bord
Figure 2: Schematic 3-D view of the well shafts and horizontal wells 

Figure 1: The SAFIRA test site with the five weleft-hand side and the on-site laboratory building 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

115

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

The groundwater for each shaft is collected by 2 horizontal wells of 10 m of length which were drilled at 

an angle of 60° (Figure 2). 

The on site laboratory analyzes the major contaminants as well as the physical-chemical parameters (pH, 

conductivity, redox potential, temperature and oxygen content) AOX, TOC, and DOC directly at the site, 

thus minimizing possible alterations of the samples due to transport and storage. 

Each experimental reactor has several regularly spaced sampling ports (depending on the size, the 

expected residence time of the groundwater and the process of interest) to monitor changes in 

groundwater composition along the passage through the reactor. Specific analyses are performed by the 

respective research teams. Due to the various technologies that are being applied at the site, special 

emphasis will be directed towards the determination of possible metabolites in the reactor outlets. 

5. SOME RESULTS (UPDATED) 

Over the last two years of large-scale in situ application the different research groups have been adjusting 

and optimizing their approaches in order to remediate the complex groundwater contamination at the site. 

Activated Carbon: 

Activated carbon filtration has performed well. No changes in the groundwater chemistry were observed 

as the reactor was percolated under in situ conditions. Occasional releases of particles were observed at 

early times and can cause particle bound phases contaminant release. The groundwater predominately 

contaminated with monochlorobenzene (MCB) was treated successfully over a time period of 2 years by 

the activated carbon filtration. In none of the in-situ operated activated carbon filters plugging, chemo- or 

biofouling was observed. 

The loading of the activated carbon with the contaminants agreed very well with expectations from 

modeling (Breakthrough behavior of monochlorobenzene at ports in the GAC filters could be predicted 

using Freundlich Isotherms and coeffciants. The results of this long term investigation demonstrate, that 

in-situ activated carbon filtration can be sucessfully be used to remove hydrophobic, low solubility 

contaminants from groundwater. 

Microbiology: 

Under strictly anaerobic conditions, no definite degradation of MCB was observed. Adding hydrogen 

peroxide caused the degradation of MCB, accompanied by a clear increase of the number of cultivable 

aerobic MCB-degrading bacteria. The results point out that the oxygen released from hydrogen peroxide 

was almost completely consumed by bacteria for CB degradation. 

Catalysis: 

Zeolite as well as membrane-supported palladium catalysts showed a high capability of efficiently 

degrading aliphatic as well as aromatic chlorinated hydrocarbons (Schüth et al., 2000). However, Pdcatalysts are deactivated by the production of H2S, due to the microbiological reduction of sulfate. 

Attempts to supress microbial activities to increase the longevity by applying periodical H2O2 pulses so 

far showed only limited success. 

In order to prevent catalyst deactivation in the aqueous phase a new approach was developed using 

hollow fiber membrane contactors to transfer the contaminants into the gaseous phase. In contrast, for the 

gaseous phase efficient methods to remove sulfur containing compounds exist (e.g. zinc oxide, ZnO). 

Also the reaction rates are several orders of magnitude faster in the gaseous phase compared to the 

aqueous phase, due to the higher diffusion rates and higher catalyst temperature. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

116

Using membrane contactors with large surface areas and applying a vacuum on the gas side, mass transfer 

limitations due to low Henry coefficients can potentially be overcome and much smaller systems are 

possible. In addition, using nitrogen as the strip gas, instead of ambient air, prevents oxygen from 

entering the system and thus minimises the risk of precipitations, as contaminated aquifer systems are in 

general anoxic. 

Determination of Contaminant Fluxes: 

A reliable contaminant mass flux estimation is especially important to design and scale reactors of in situ 

remediation schemes, where, as is also the case at the Bitterfeld site, a high spatial variability of 

contaminant concentrations in the subsurface leads to high uncertainties. 

The method of integral estimation of contaminant fluxes downstream of a pollutant source zone 

employing the concentration time series measured in the discharge of pumping wells using the control 

plane approach, has been modified to include the 3-dimensional analysis of contaminant distribution in a 

contaminant plume. The new approach is now being applied to new data obtained at a series of pumping 

tests at the Bitterfeld site. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Health and safety standards meet the high German working safety requirements. The shafts are 

permanently ventilated and air-conditioned. Each shafts is equipped redundant early warning systems for 

the case of fire, high carbon monoxide concentration, water flooding and reactor overpressure. 

Entrance to the shafts is regulated by a pilot plant user manual and only allowed under inspection of the 

pilot plant staff and after an introduction into the safety features of the pilot plant. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

In the design of the pilot plant minimal environmental impacts were already key aspects, as the innovative 

techniques were to be designed for an in situ application under natural aquifer conditions. 

The horizontal wells at depths of about 20 m are designed to extract only highly contaminated aquifer 

water, without much disturbing the natural hydraulic regime. 

Process water leaving the reactors is of course additionally treated in the on site waste water treatment 

facility, in order to prevent possible contaminantions in the process water leaving the pilot plant. All 

water leaving the site meets the required legal standards. 

The contaminant concentrations at the inflow and the outflow of the reactors are checked regularly and a 

specially designed analytic program is being designed to check for metabolites in the effluent 

concentration. 

The general ecotoxicological and environmental aspects of large in situ remediation approaches on the 

environment are covered by several research partners within the SAFIRA joint research project. 

8. COSTS 

The total costs for the implementation of the SAFIRA pilot plant was on the order of 11 Mio. DM. 

Maintenance and operation of the site, which is covered by the UFZ-Leipzig, amounts to approximately. 

580.000 DM/a. 

The German research partners involved in the SAFIRA project are sponsored by BMBF (Federal ministry 

of education and sciene). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

117

9. CONCLUSIONS 

• Several technologies (GAC/coupled redox systems) already showed their remediation potential under 

the anaerobic in situ conditions.Several technological approaches failed (e.g. anaerobic 

microbiological degradation, catalysis in the aqueous phase). 

Catalytic degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons can be an efficient way to remediate MCB and 

other chlorinated hydrocarbons under more favorable hydrochemical groundwater conditions. 

Microbiological degradation of MCB under anoxic conditions could not be confirmed at the test 

site. However new approaches have already been tested in the lab and in mobile treatment units 

under in situ conditions. No single (successful) technology will be able to deal with complex 

contaminant cocktails. 

• Combinations of several approaches are needed in order to address the problems at complex sites 

(2nd generation of integrated technologies). Due to a high spatial variability of contaminant 

concentrations as well as of composition at the Bitterfeld site, expected contaminant fluxes towards a 

remediation site need to be characterized in detail prior to the design of remedial action.Tools for the 

technical and economical evaluation are presently developed and will be ready for application at the 

end of phase 1. Outlook 

• Starting 2003, the Infrastructure, Personal- and Operation Costs of the SAFIRA Sites is introduced 

into HGF-Leistungskategorie II ‚National and international Science Infrastructure‘. 

• This Classification makes it possible to support the a.m. sites as a research platform of the 

international Scientific Community.The platform is to be used by more than 50% external users (non 

UFZ Researchers) and is supervised by an external scientific board.The facilities are available for 

interested researchers at at a small maintenance fee. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. BOCKELMANN, A., PTAK, T. TEUTSCH,G. (2001): An analytical quantification of and natural 

attenuation rate constants at a former gasworks site, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, (53),429-

453. 

2. KÖBER. R, EBERT, M. SCHÄFER, D., DAHMKE, A. (2001a): Kombination vonFe0

 und Aktivkohle in 

Reaktionswänden zur Sanierung komplexer Mischkontaminantionen im Grundwasser, altlasten 

spektrum, 2/2001, 91-95. 

3. KÖBER. R., EBERT, M. SCHÄFER, D., DAHMKE, A. (2001B): Kombination von Fe0 Reaktionswänden 

und ORC zur Behandlung komplexer Mischkontaminationen im Grundwasser, Terra Tech, 3/2001, 1-

6. 

4. MERKEL, P., WEIß, H., TEUTSCH, G., RIJNAARTS, H. (2000): Innovative Reactive Barrier 

Technologies for Regional Contaminated Groundwater, In: Proceed. of the 7th International 

FZK/TNO Concerence on Contaminated Soil, 18-22 September 2000, Leipzig, Thomas Telford, 

S.532-540. 

5. SCHÜTH, C., DISSER, S., SCHÜTH, F., REINHARD, M. (2000): Tailoring Catalysts for 

Hydrodechlorinating Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Contaminants in Groundwater, Applied Catalysis B: 

Environmental, 28, 147-152. 

6. WEIß, H. RIJNAARTS, H., STAPS, S., MERKEL P. (2000)(EDS.): SAFIRA Abstracts of the workshop of 

November 17-18, 1999 at Bitterfeld /Germany, UFZ Bericht Nr. 23/2000. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

118

7. Webpage http://safira.ufz.de/

Scientific/technological approaches Research contacts 

Project and test site management weiss@pro.ufz.de 

georg.teutsch@uni-tuebingen.de 

Determination of metabolites and degradation products of in situ 

technologies 

weiss@pro.ufz.de 

The Influence of Groundwater Specific Parameters on the 

Performance of In Situ Reactors based on the Example of In-Situ 

Activated-Carbon-Filtration 

peter.grathwohl@uni-tuebingen.de 

Elimination of volatile organic compounds by adsorption and 

simultaneous microbiological degradation on activated carbon 

pwerner@arcs.urz.tu-dresden.de 

Development of coupled in situ-reactors and optimisation of the 

geochemical processes downstream of different in situ-reactor 

systems 

ad@gpi.uni-kiel.de 

Microbiological in situ remediation of aquifers contaminated with 

chloroorganic contaminants at the model site Bitterfeld using 

autochthonous bacteria 

vogt@umb.ufz.de 

Dechlorination of chlorohydrocarbons in groundwater by 

electrochemical and catalytic reactions 

kopinke@san.ufz.de 

Zeolite-supported catalysts for hydrodehalogenation of 

contaminants in groundwater 

schueth@uni-tuebingen.de 

Degradation of halogenated organic pollutants by catalytic 

oxidation 

hofmann@inc.uni-leipzig.de 

Reactive transport in technical reactors rudolf.liedl@uni-tuebingen.de 

Direct oxygen injection into natural aquifer sections and artificial 

porous media: Gas-water-dynamics and heterogeneous reactions 

between mixed fluid phases 

geist@hdg.ufz.de 

Determination of the contaminant loads in contaminated aquifers 

for the design of in situ reactors 

thomas.ptak@uni-tuebingen.de 

Ecotoxicological determination of the performance of in situ 

treatment measures in contaminated aquifers 

ra@uoe.ufz.de 

Development of model approaches to assess the general effects of 

groundwater remediations by permeable reactive barriers 

wycisk@geologie.uni-halle.de 

Technical and environmental-econonmical assessment of reactive 

barriers 

georg.teutsch@uni-tuebingen.de 

Biodegradation of chloroethenes and chlorobenzenes in a twophase anaerobic/microaerobic treatment zone system s.staps@mep.tno.nl 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

119 

Project No. 19

Succesive Extraction-Decontamination of Leather Tanning Waste Deposited Soil 

Location 

University of Istanbul 

Project Dates 

 Accepted 1998 

 Final Report 2001 

Report Status 

Interim 

Contaminants 

Organic and 

inorganic 

Technical Contact 

Dr. Erol Erçag 

University of Istanbul 

Faculty of Engineering, 

Department of Chemistry 

Avcilar, 34850 

Istanbul, Turkey 

Tel: 0212 593 84 7, Ext. 1191 

Fax: 0212 591 19 98 

E-mail:Ercag@istanbul.edu.tr 

Costs Documented? 

 No 

Results Available 

None 

Project Size 

Laboratory/field 

Information in this project is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Since old leather tanning industries have been moved from a central region to the outskirts of Istanbul, 

namely from Zeytinburnu to Tuzla of Istanbul, considerable land into which the tanning wastes were 

dumped over years are now waiting to be reused. Now the Greater City Municipality of Istanbul is 

considering this emptied region for recreational and housing purposes. This region now poses 

considerable health hazard for the potential future users of this land. 

2. AIM 

This project was purported to perform the treatability study of the contaminated soil at Zeytinburnu. 

3. METHOD 

Sampling of soil over the abandoned tanning industrial area will be made, and the organic and inorganic 

contaminants in the soil will be analysed. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be analysed by a 

photoionization dectector capable of detecting more than 250 chemicals. 

According to the types of organic (e.g., additives and modification agents) and inorganic (e.g., chromium, 

sulfide, etc.) constituents present as contaminants, a treatability study of soil consisting of organic 

extraction with suitable solvent (e.g., methylene chloride) followed by acid leaching of toxic heavy metals 

will be carried out. Both synthetic and real soil samples will be carried out to optimize solvent, acid, 

leachant concentration, solids-to liquid ratio and so on. 

Currently, points from which soil samples are to be taken have already been determined. Several samples 

are to be taken from the same point according to the distance to the surface. The depth from which 

samples are planned to be taken will be roughly 1 meter at maximum. At the same sampling positions, 

VOC measurements will also be made. 

4. RESULTS 

Not available. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

120 

5. COSTS, HEALTH, AND SAFETY 

Not yet available. 

6. CONCLUSIONS 

There are insufficient data available to draw any meaningful conclusions. 

7. REFERENCES 

Not applicable. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

121 

Project No. 20

Innovative Treatment Technologies: A Summary of Work Completed on a DNAPL Site at 

Cape Canaveral, Florida 

Location 

Cape Canaveral, Florida 

Project Status 

Completed 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technology Type 

In situ chemical 

oxidation 

In situ thermal 

remediation with six 

phase heating 

In situ thermal 

remediation and steam 

injection 

Project Dates Contaminants 

Chlorinated solvent DNAPLs 

Technical Contact 

Thomas O. Early 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

P.O. Box 2008, MS 6038 

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6038 

Tel: (865) 576-2103 (Office) 

Fax: (865) 574-7420 

Costs Documented? 

October 2002 

Project Size 

Field 

Treatability 

Testing 

Results Available? 

Spring 2002 

Project 20 was completed in 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) pose a serious, long-term threat to groundwater 

contamination due to their toxicity, limited solubility in ground water, and significant migration potential 

in soil gas, groundwater, and/or as separate phase liquids. DNAPL chemicals, particularly chlorinated 

solvents, are among the most common of environmental contamination problems in the United States as 

well as for most industrialized countries. There are thousands of DNAPL-contaminated sites in the United 

States, often at contaminant volumes that are difficult to detect, but in quantities that can represent 

significant sources of groundwater contamination. Many federal, state, and local governmental agencies 

as well as private-sector sites are impacted by this environmental problem. The U.S. Office of 

Management and Budget estimates that the federal government alone will spend billions of dollars for 

environmental clean up of DNAPL contamination. 

There are many uncertainties associated with treatment of DNAPL sources in the subsurface. First, it is 

difficult to define accurately the location and distribution of the DNAPL. Secondly, the aggressive, 

innovative treatment technologies currently being marketed have not been subjected to rigorous 

evaluation in order to determine their performance and cost of application under a variety of site 

conditions. It is difficult to make meaningful comparisons of either performance or cost among these 

technologies because of the variable conditions present at the demonstration sites and inconsistent 

objectives of the individual demonstrations. 

2. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

In 1998, a multiagency consortium (Interagency DNAPL Consortium, or IDC) was organized to address 

cost and performance issues related to DNAPL source treatment using innovative technologies. The U.S. 

Department of Energy/Office of Environmental Management (DOE/EM), the U.S. Department of 

Defense (DOD) through the Air Force Research Laboratory in cooperation with the 45th Space Wing, the 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) agreed to cooperate in demonstrating innovative DNAPL remediation and characterization 

technologies at a NASA site on Cape Canaveral Air Station (Launch Complex 34), Cape Canaveral, FL. 

The Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center of the U.S. Navy joined the IDC several years later. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

122 

The IDC was formed to: 

• Address a serous, wide-spread and shared environmental problem adversely affecting many U.S. 

federal agencies (e.g., DOE, EPA, DOD, NASA, Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture); 

• Accelerate both the demonstration and deployment of DNAPL remediation, characterization and 

monitoring technologies for the purpose of reducing the perceived technology risk associated with 

these technologies; 

• Increase regulatory and user acceptance of these technologies by providing documented, cost and 

performance data; and 

• Provide increased opportunities to test new sensors designed to support in situ remediation of 

DNAPL contamination problems. 

In order to conduct the side-by-side demonstrations, a Management Team was organized consisting of 

representatives from DOE, NASA, USAF, DOD, and EPA. The Team is a collaborative decision-making 

body that draws upon the strengths of each agency to solve problems associated with the project. The 

Team formed a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) whose members came from industry, academia and 

federal agencies and are experts on DNAPLs and DNAPL treatment technologies. The TAG made 

recommendations as to the treatment technologies to use and participated in review of work plans and 

technical reports for each of the demonstrations. With the assistance of the TAG, the Management Team 

selected three of the most promising remediation technologies for deployment and evaluation at Launch 

Complex 34: in situ chemical oxidation with potassium permanganate, electrical resistance heating, and 

thermal treatment using steam. 

3. SITE CONDITIONS 

NASA’s Launch Complex 34 was selected as the test site following an intensive evaluation by a variety 

of DNAPL characterization methods. A zone of DNAPL contamination was discovered in a region 

covering about 0.12 ha in front of a building in which TCE was used to clean rocket engine parts. It is 

believed that TCE reached the subsurface through leaking floor drains and piping as well as by direct 

discharge to the ground surface. DNAPL was found to extend to a depth of ~13.7 m below ground surface 

where a clay aquitard is encountered. Extensive contamination by DNAPL also was discovered 

underlying the building, but the extent of this contamination was not determined. The site in front of the 

building was subdivided into three treatment cells, each ~15 X 23 m in size (Figure 1). A small part of 

each cell extended under the building. 

The lithologies present at the test site are illustrated in a cross section in Figure 2 and include the 

following units in ascending order: the Lower Confining Unit (LCU) that occurs at a depth of about 13.7 

m and is believed to be a barrier to downward DNAPL migration, the Lower Sand Unit (LSU), the 

Middle Fine-Grain Unit (MFGU), and the Upper Sand Unit (USU). The MFGU is about a factor of 10 

less permeable than either the USU or LSU. The water table surface occurs at a depth of about 2 m, but is 

somewhat variable depending on the amount of rainfall. 

The total masses of TCE (dissolved, sorbed, and separate phase) and TCE as DNAPL in each cell were 

determined by collecting and analyzing continuous soil cores. An unaligned systematic sampling design 

was used to select the core locations. The footprint of each cell was subdivided into 12 equal grid 

elements. Each grid element was further subdivided into 16 equal sub-areas. One sub-area in each of the 

grid elements was selected randomly as locations of soil cores. Therefore, 12 cores were collected in each 

cell. Each 0.5 m section of core was analyzed for its total TCE content. Consequently, nearly 300 samples 

were collected from each cell and used to construct a 3-D model of the distribution of TCE. From these 

data the mass of total TCE and TCE as DNAPL within each cell was computed and the results are 

presented in Table 1. The soil analytical data can be evaluated by several different methods and the results 

for each are provided in the table. First, the TCE concentrations were contoured using the EarthVision 

software and the mass of TCE and DNAPL was computed from the volume and concentration of the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

123 

isoconcentration shells within the cells. Alternatively, we used a kriging method that takes into account 

the spatial variability and uncertainty of the TCE distribution to estimate its total mass within the cells. 

Kriging yields a mass estimate and uncertainty in that mass for the desired confidence interval (80%). We 

did not apply kriging to determine the mass of DNAPL. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

4.1 In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) 

In situ oxidation using potassium permanganate is a potentially fast and low cost solution for the 

destruction of chlorinated ethylenes, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) and simple 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, potassium permanganate reacts effectively with the 

double bonds in chlorinated ethylenes such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene, 

dichloroethylene isomers, and vinyl chloride. It is effective for the remediation of DNAPL, absorbed and 

dissolved phase contaminants and produces innocuous breakdown products such as CO2, chloride ions 

and MnO2(s). The permanganate solution typically is applied by injection at a concentration of one to 

three percent. This solution is easily handled, mixed and injected and is non-toxic and non-hazardous. 

Bench-scale laboratory tests of potassium permanganate with TCE have resulted in up to a 90% reduction 

of the contaminant in four hours of treatment. The effectiveness of the in situ injection of permanganate is 

a function of the reaction kinetics, the transport and contact between potassium permanganate and the 

contaminant, as well as competitive reactions with other oxidizable species (e.g., iron, natural organics). 

The effective use of this remedial technology requires an engineered approach for maximizing the contact 

between potassium permanganate and the target contaminant. As with many technologies, low 

permeability and heterogeneity of soils present a challenge and require a carefully designed application 

system. 

At Cape Canaveral, the ISCO demonstration took place during between August, 1999 and May, 2000. 

Permanganate injection occurred in three phases. In each phase, potassium permanganate solution was 

pumped to a manifold and thereafter injected into the subsurface through a number of soil lances that 

were advanced in 0.6 m increments by direct push methods. Injection occurred to a total depth of about 

13.7 m. The location of the injection points was determined in such a way that the zones of influence for 

neighboring injections overlapped with the intent of causing complete invasion of the DNAPL 

contaminated zone. 

4.2 In Situ Thermal Remediation with Six Phase Heating (SPH) 

The Six Phase Heating (SPH) technology removes contaminants from soil and groundwater by resistively 

heating the soil matrix, groundwater, and contaminants in the treated region. In SPH normal three-phase 

electricity is split into six separate phases, which is delivered to the subsurface through metal electrodes 

arranged in a hexagonal array. As the temperature of the subsurface increases, a point is reached when 

boiling of the TCE-groundwater system occurs (~73 deg. C at atmospheric pressure). In principle, a 

combination of direct volatilization and steam stripping drives contaminants to the vadose zone where it 

is captured by vapor recovery wells for removal and treatment in an ex situ treatment system. 

The SPH demonstration at Cape Canaveral began in August, 1999 and continued with several 

interruptions until July, 2000. The system was shut down during October and November, 1999 due to the 

impact of several hurricanes and tropical storms that caused equipment damage and unanticipated releases 

of TCE to surface water. Another shutdown occurred during the spring of 2000 due to replacement of an 

electrical generator. 

Recent laboratory and field investigations of thermal treatment technologies indicate that breakdown of 

TCE and other chlorinated solvents can occur. Hydrous pyrolysis oxidation (HPO) is an example of such 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

124 

a process in which the oxidative breakdown of TCE occurs rapidly at steam temperatures yielding nontoxic byproducts such as CO2 and chloride ions. Therefore, with the application of SPH it is anticipated 

that some TCE will be extracted as vapor and treated at the surface while another component will be 

totally mineralized in situ. 

4.3 In Situ Thermal Remediation with Steam Injection 

 

Thermal remediation by steam injection is another thermal treatment method used at Cape Canaveral. We 

used a suite of technologies developed by the University of California and Lawrence Livermore National 

Laboratory that includes Steam Enhanced Extraction (SEE) and Dynamic Underground Stripping and 

Hydrous Pyrolysis/Oxidation (DUS/HPO). The steam treatment system at Launch Complex 34 used 

boilers to generate steam, which was then pumped into the subsurface through centrally located injection 

wells. The steam front progressed outward from the injection wells to the periphery of the cell volatilizing 

and mobilizing contaminants as it moved. A network of extraction wells was located along the perimeter 

of the cell and contaminants were vacuumed to the surface for treatment. The initial application of steam 

to the subsurface at Launch Complex 34 was accompanied by co-injection of air. Air is a noncondensable gas and studies conducted by Dr. Kent Udell (U.C. Berkeley) show that injecting it with the 

steam helps prevent formation at the steam-groundwater interface of a condensation front of TCE 

DNAPL that might be mobilized downward. 

At Launch Complex 34, a network of thermocouples was used to produce a 3-D image of temperature 

throughout the treatment cell as well as in a zone surrounding the cell. Careful monitoring of temperatures 

helped to evaluate the progression of the steam front and also helped confirm that the steam-TCE vapor 

mixture did not migrate beyond the extraction wells at the edge of the cell. 

As discussed above, HPO is a companion process to thermal treatment technologies such as SPH and 

DUS. We anticipated some in situ degradation of TCE due to HPO during the steam treatment 

demonstration. 

The steam demonstration began in July 2001 and continued until mid-December, 2001. 

5. RESULTS 

5.1 ISCO 

Table 1 gives the results of the pre- and post-demonstration sampling of the oxidation test cell and an 

estimate of TCE removal from the cell. The contouring results indicate that the oxidation cell originally 

contained in excess of 6000 kg of TCE (>5000 kg of DNAPL). Following the ISCO demonstration the 

residual mass of TCE was 1100 kg (~800 kg DNAPL). This suggests an apparent TCE removal efficiency 

of 82% for TCE (84% for DNAPL). Kriging of the same soil core data yields somewhat different results. 

At the 80% confidence interval (CI) the ranges of values for the TCE mass both before and after the 

demonstration are higher than for the contouring method. In general, the kriging method should provide a 

better estimate of contaminant mass because it uses spatial correlations among the TCE data and makes 

inferences about TCE concentrations at unsampled points. 

The spatial distribution of TCE in the oxidation cell following the ISCO demonstration indicates that a 

sharp decline in the soil TCE content occurred for each of the lithologic units and that the only region 

where treatment was not effective was on the southwestern corner of the cell, which underlies the 

building. 

Table 2 gives the mass of KMnO4 and volume of solution injected for each phase of treatment. The 

cumulative volume of fluid injected represents over three pore volumes of the test cell. Consequently, it is 

apparent that there was significant displacement of contaminated groundwater within the cell to regions 

beyond the cell boundary. During the period of peak permanganate injection (April 2000), a steep 

hydraulic gradient centered on the cell was developed, especially in the LSU. We believe that the duration 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

125 

of the elevated heads was short-lived owing to the high transmissivity of the lithologic units. We 

attempted to evaluate the impact of groundwater displacement to see if DNAPL might have been 

mobilized outside of the cell. However, the region around the cell has significant TCE contamination, so 

it is difficult to determine if significant changes in the amount and distribution of DNAPL in this zone 

occurred due to the ISCO demonstration. 

5.2 SPH 

Table 1 presents the “before” and “after” mass estimates for Total TCE and TCE DNAPL in the SPH test 

cell. The contoured data indicate that the mass of TCE prior to the SPH demonstration was ~11,300 kg 

(~10,500 kg DNAPL). The post-demonstration mass of TCE was ~1100 kg (~340 kg DNAPL). These 

data suggest an apparent removal efficiency of TCE of 90% (97% for DNAPL). As for the oxidation cell, 

kriging of the soil data are provided for comparison and are believed to yield more defensible TCE mass 

estimates. As for the ISCO demonstration, the region of the cell with most residual contamination after 

the SPH demonstration appears to underlie the Engineering Support Building. 

The vapor recovery system affords an opportunity to measure the amount of TCE recovered from the cell. 

During the period of operation, ~1950 kg of TCE was recovered along with a small amount of TCE 

degradation products. The recovered TCE accounts for approximately 17% of the TCE thought to have 

been in the test cell. The amount of TCE left in the cell following the demonstration along with what was 

recovered by the vapor extraction system accounts for only ~27% of the total. We believe that there are 

several possible explanations for the “missing” mass of TCE: 

• The mass estimates for TCE in the cell are grossly in error 

• Some TCE extracted into the vapor treatment system escaped before being measured 

• Some TCE vapor escaped into the atmosphere by fugitive emissions through the surface of the test 

cell during the demonstration 

• Some TCE migrated laterally in the subsurface beyond the boundaries of the test cell 

• Some TCE was destroyed in situ by HPO or other types of reactions 

The results of this demonstration are still being evaluated, but we believe that several of these possible 

explanations are the most likely cause for the missing mass. Specifically, we believe that some unknown 

quantity of TCE migrated beyond the cell boundary in the subsurface. Some of the thermocouple data 

indicate that due to its lower permeability the MFGU may not permit an easy pathway for vertical 

migration of steam and TCE vapor to the USU. Consequently, we believe that lateral migration of some 

vapor and contaminated groundwater probably occurred to regions outside of the cell boundary near the 

LSU-MFGU contact. There is evidence that shallow groundwater flow also occurred through the SPH cell 

due to the heavy rains associated with tropical storms during September-October 1999. In addition, 

displacement of contaminated groundwater in the ISCO cell due to KMnO4 injection may have 

contributed to some lateral flow in the SPH cell. Together, these mechanisms are believed to have 

resulted in lateral migration of contamination outside of the cell. 

We observed a great increase in dissolved chloride content in groundwater within the cell following the 

demonstration suggesting that oxidation or other types of degradation reactions mineralized a significant 

amount of TCE releasing chloride to groundwater. However, boiling of groundwater may account for 

some of the observed increase. Assuming that increases in dissolved chloride concentrations are from 

TCE mineralization then it should be possible to estimate the amount of TCE that degraded. 

Unfortunately, lateral migration of chloride-enriched groundwater from the SPH cell during the 

demonstration impacted a relatively large region to the northwest of the cell making such mass estimates 

highly uncertain. 

Our information on fugitive emissions is confined to a series of short-term measurements using vaportrapping chambers placed on the ground surface. The results are not definitive, but we cannot rule out this 

process as contributing to the missing TCE mass. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

126 

5.3 Steam Treatment 

The treatment cell for the steam demonstration contained an estimated 10,400 kg of TCE (~9,300 kg of 

DNAPL) prior to the beginning of steam injection. At the conclusion of the demonstration soil core 

analyses indicate that between 80 and 90% of the TCE had been removed from the cell by a combination 

of vapor extraction and in situ oxidative breakdown (i.e. HPO). Nearly 90% of the DNAPL was gone 

from the cell. Table 1 summarizes the data for the two mass estimation methods used. The regions of the 

cell where TCE removal was least effective was underlying the Engineering Support Building (USU and 

MFGU) and along the western and northwestern boundaries of the cell (LSU). 

Maintaining hydraulic control at the cell boundary was one of the objectives of this demonstration to 

avoid the possibility of TCE migration beyond the cell. The vendor accomplished this goal by injecting 

steam in the central part of cell and extracting vapor (steam-air-TCE) and groundwater from recovery 

wells located along the cell perimeter. We verified that hydraulic control was maintained by monitoring a 

network of thermocouples located along the cell perimeter at discrete depths from the surface to the top of 

the LCU (~ 13.7m deep). We installed an additional thermocouple network around the cell ~8m beyond 

the perimeter. Collectively, the thermal data verified that nearly the entire cell was heated sufficiently to 

vaporize TCE, but there was little thermal impact beyond the cell boundary. 

During the demonstration, over 15,000 m3

 of groundwater was pumped from the recovery wells 

representing a volume equal to about 11 times the pore volume of the cell. This large volume of water is a 

consequence of using recovery wells along the cell perimeter where a large amount of groundwater from 

outside of the cell was pumped. Because the steam cell is surrounded by contaminated soil and 

groundwater, the pumping wells probably imported a significant amount of TCE in addition to that 

recovered from within the cell itself (due to thermal treatment) that had to be handled by the aboveground treatment system. 

Although we monitored TCE in the waste stream of the recovery wells, a breakdown of equipment during 

the early part of the demonstration when contaminant recovery was likely to be high resulted in 

uncertainty for the overall mass balance. We were also unable to confirm significant increase in the 

dissolved chloride in groundwater due to HPO because the ambient pre-demonstration chloride levels 

were already high. Finally, as for the SPH demonstration, we looked for fugitive emissions of TCE with 

measurements with vapor-trapping chambers at a number of locations within and surrounding the cell 

perimeter. Some of these measurements indicated elevated TCE vapor emission, but due to the short 

duration of the measurements it is not possible to estimate losses by vapor transport. Collectively, these 

observations limit our ability to establish a mass balance, but the results in Table 1 coupled with thermal 

monitoring data indicate significant mass removal/destruction with no apparent uncontrolled TCE 

migration from the cell. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

All of the technologies tested at Launch Complex 34 have been deployed at other sites over a period of at 

least several years. Consequently, while certain precautions must be taken, most health and safety issues 

were anticipated and addressed successfully. 

For ISCO, KMnO4 is a stable oxidant and does not present unusual handling problems. However, 

precautions must be taken to avoid skin contact with the KMnO4 by wearing Tyvek suits and by 

maintaining a solution of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and water to neutralize oxidant spills on the ground 

or clothing. 

The SPH technology has several potential areas where health and safety considerations must be 

addressed. Foremost among these is controlling the transport and distribution of high voltages (up to 500 

V) used to power the electrodes. The vendor was successful in insulating the ground surface from the 

current passing through the aquifer. Secondly, when the water in the aquifer is at the boiling point, 

monitoring wells screened in the heated zone either must remain sealed or must be vented to the off gas 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

127 

treatment system. Opening a well cap under these conditions leads to pressure release and flash boiling of 

groundwater and presents a threat of serious burns to personnel. 

 

For the steam technology the major health and safety issue is related to the handling of steam and the 

potential for burns. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

There are two major sources of environmental impact from the application of these technologies. First, 

with ISCO an industrial grade of KMnO4 was used to make the oxidant solution with a concentration up 

to ~3% by weight. This grade of permanganate contains trace amounts of a number of constituents. At a 

concentration of 1-2%, the solution exceeds the drinking water standard for several elements (e.g. Cr) and 

approval was required from the State of Florida to permit injection. In addition, it is possible that the 

permanganate solution can oxidize and mobilize indigenous metals associated with the geologic media. 

These effects are believed to be short-lived. 

The second type of environmental effect is related to the impact of the oxidant or thermal treatment 

process on the microbiological community present in the subsurface. In order to evaluate this impact, we 

sampled the soil in each cell prior and subsequent to treatment and evaluated changes in the microbial 

population. We are in the process of collecting and evaluating these data, but it seems clear that 

application of the technologies caused a net reduction in the overall numbers of microbes. However, we 

do not know at this time how different types of bacteria were affected by the demonstration. 

8. COSTS 

Table 3 presents a summary of the cost of applying the three technologies at Cape Canaveral. The cost is 

very sensitive to several factors. For all of the technologies demonstrated at Cape Canaveral, field 

operations account for the largest cost element. In addition, for ISCO, the cost is strongly related to the 

amount of TCE that needs to be oxidized and to the oxidant demand from the media itself. The oxidation 

test cell at Cape Canaveral contained ~6000kg of TCE, requiring a rather large amount of KMnO4 which 

contributed significantly to the cost. 

The operational cost factors for both the SPH and steam technologies include the fuel or electricity that 

drives the thermal process. However, in contrast to ISCO, the incremental cost of vaporizing the TCE is 

inconsequential. Therefore, the amount of TCE in the cell is not a significant cost driver. 

The costs incurred to apply these technologies depend on the specific way it is deployed (e.g. delivery 

system used, performance target to be achieved, etc.). What is shown in Table 3 is specific to the design 

of the demonstrations that were conducted. These costs do not reflect two important factors: (a) if 

treatment were for the entire source area instead of just a cell within a larger zone of contamination, then 

there would likely be an economy of scale and the design for deployment of the technology might be 

significantly different, and (b) lessons learned from these and other demonstrations will likely promote 

optimization of design with resultant cost savings. 

9. LESSONS LEARNED 

As a result of conducting these three technology demonstrations and the associated characterization work 

that supported them we have identified several major lessons that should be understood: 

• Inadequate recognition of important design and implementation features of the technologies can result 

in problems. For example, the ISCO demonstration involved injection of ~three cell pore volumes of 

permanganate solution that resulted in significant, short-term hydraulic mounding within the cell, 

fluid migration beyond the ISCO cell boundary, and impacts on neighboring demonstrations. A fluid 

recirculation system would have avoided this problem. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

128 

• Constraints placed on the demonstrations by the IDC to facilitate their side-by-side deployment led to 

a non-optimal design for the steam injection demonstration. The steam demonstration was deployed 

with central injection of steam/air and fluid recovery at the cell perimeter (to maintain hydraulic 

control), whereas the opposite approach would be used for complete source treatment under normal 

circumstances resulting in extraction of much less groundwater requiring treatment.. 

• The potential impact of site geology on the performance of the technology must be considered. For 

example, monitoring associated with the SPH demonstration illustrated that the MFGU acted as a 

partial barrier to vertical migration of vapor (steam + TCE) and heated water from below. As a result, 

lateral migration of contamination beyond the SPH cell boundary probably occurred at the base of the 

MFGU. 

• Even at this simple site, the difficulty of achieving a mass balance of TCE (and the uncertainties 

associated with making such estimates) suggests that less emphasis should be placed on this 

objective. Even with extensive coring and analyses, uncertainties on the order of 10-30% at the 80% 

CI were common. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider reducing the amount of characterization 

aimed at achieving an accurate estimate of contaminant mass and focus more attention on measuring 

the impact of source treatment (e.g. future mass fluxes). 

• Cost comparisons reflect the manner in which the technologies were designed and deployed 

(reflecting constraints placed on vendors by their contracts) and as such may be somewhat artificial. 

For example, the enormous amount of water recovered during the steam demonstration (requiring 

treatment and disposal) was a direct result of the design used to maintain hydraulic control at the cell 

boundary. 

10. CONCLUSIONS 

Demonstrations of the three DNAPL source remediation technologies used at Cape Canaveral are 

providing a rich source of data that will continue to be evaluated in the future. We have completed 

collecting most of the monitoring data associated with the demonstrations, although additional 

microbiological data still are being collected and evaluated. 

In general, we can conclude that all of the demonstrations were successful in removing and/or destroying 

a significant fraction of the TCE from their respective test cells. Treatment efficiencies equal to or 

exceeding 80% for SPH, from 62-84% for ISCO, and 80-90% for steam are indicated by the data. There 

is an indication that for the SPH demonstration perhaps as much as ~70% of the TCE cannot be accounted 

for. There is evidence that some of the “missing” mass was destroyed by in situ oxidative reactions, 

although some may have migrated laterally outside of the cell. In addition, fugitive emission of TCE 

vapor through the ground surface cannot be ruled out. 

These demonstrations and the associated cost and performance data are only one step of a planned effort 

to test innovative DNAPL source remediation technologies under a variety of site conditions. Based on 

the Cape Canaveral and other related demonstrations, we recognize that a number of scientific and 

engineering questions about the technologies remain to be resolved. Further testing and scientific inquiry 

are the only way in which these questions can be answered. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

129 

Table 1: Estimated masses of total TCE, DNAPL, and cleanup efficiency from application of the ISCO, 

SPH, and steam technologies at Launch Complex 34 

ISCO SPH Steam 

Pre-Demonstration 

Mass of Total TCE (kg) 

Contouring 6,122 11,313 10,435 

Kriging (80% CI) 6,217 to 9,182 7,498 to 15,677 11,145 to 14,159 

Mass of TCE DNAPL (kg) 

Contouring 5,039 10,490 9,301 

Post-Demonstration 

Mass of Total TCE (kg)

Contouring 1,100 1,101 1,546 

Kriging (80% CI) 1,511 to 2,345 1,031 to 1,535 1,328 to 2,540 

Mass of TCE DNAPL (kg) 

Contouring 810 338 984 

Cleanup Efficiency for Total TCE (%) 

Contouring 82 90 85 

Kriging (80% CI) 62 to 84 80 to 93 80 to 90 

Cleanup Efficiency for TCE DNAPL (%) 

Contouring 84 97 89 

CI = Confidence Interval 

Table 2: Amount (volume and mass of the aqueous solution) of KMnO4 injected into the lithologic units 

each phase of treatment 

USU MFGU LSU Injection 

Phase 

Volume (m3) 

Mass of 

 KMnO4 (kg) 

Volume 

(m3)

Mass of 

 KMnO4 (kg)

Volume 

 (m3

)

Mass of 

KMnO4 (kg)

Phase 1 325 6,059 353 8,484 476 13,904 

Phase 2 249 4,923 82 1,348 - - 

Phase 3 165 3,372 225 4,589 1,316 24,277 

Table 3: Cost summary of technologies

Cost ($US) 

Technology Per kg of TCE Removed or 

Destroyeda) 

Per m3 of Geologic Media 

Treatedb) 

ISCO $224 $265 

SPH $64 $152 

Steam Injection $134 $283 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

130 

a) Costs are based on the expense of treating the total estimated mass of TCE in each cell as calculated 

by the contouring method (see Table 1). 

b) Costs are assumed to include treating contamination located within the footprint of the cell (15.2m x 

22.9m) and extending over a depth range from 1.5m to 13.7m below ground surface (saturated zone). 

The total volume treated is ~4,250 m3

. 

Figure 1: Location of treatment cells at Launch Complex 34. The total depth of treatment was 

approximately 13.7 m. Part of the volume treated underlies the Engineering Support Building. 

Figure 2: Lithologic cross section through the treatment cells. The Lower Clay Unit is a confining layer 

and represents the depth limit of treatment. 

KMnO4 Steam SPH 

23m 

15 m 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

131 

Project No. 21 

Development and Use of a Permeable Adsorptive Reactive Barrier System for 

Ground Water Cleanup at a Chromium-Contaminated Site

Location 

Wood impregnation plant 

Leisi, Willisau, canton 

Luzern, Switzerland 

Project Status Contaminants 

Chromium (CrVI) 

Technology Type 

Permeable reactive 

wall 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2000 

Media 

Ground water 

Technical Contact 

Prof. Rita Hermanns Stengele 

Institute of Geotechnical 

Engineering 

Swiss Federal Institute of 

Technology Zurich 

CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland 

Tel: +41-1-6662524 

Fax: +41-1-6331248 

E-mail: 

hermanns@igt.baug.ethz.ch 

Costs Documented? 

Yes (estimated) 

Project Size 

Full-scale 

Results Available? 

No 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

This on-site remediation project will be conducted at an ongoing wood impregnation plant in Willisau, a 

small village in the canton of Luzern, Switzerland. The downstream plume of chromium (CrVI) 

contaminated ground water will be treated by an innovative permeable adsorptive reactive barrier (PRB) 

system. A full-scale field installation will be conducted to clean up the contaminated ground water. 

Laboratory tests are running to evaluate the appropriate adsorptive filler material (no zero-valent iron). 

Project objectives are to learn about the long-term efficiency of the wall system regarding the 

geochemical/physical aspects, as well as the mechanical aspects. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The wood impregnation plant has existed since the beginning of the 20th century. It is located in the small 

village of Willisau in the canton of Luzern, Switzerland. The area is about 20,000 m2. Site investigation 

showed a main contamination with chromium in the soil and in the ground water due to the impregnation 

work, the handling, and, in the main case, the dump of impregnated wood on the unpaved terrain without 

any cover against rainfall. 

Downstream from the plant area, the ground water is collected in a pumping station. The main 

contaminant in the ground water is chromium (CrVI) with a concentration ten times more than allowed in 

the Ordinance relating to the cleanup of contaminated sites (1998) in Switzerland. 

The aquifer is about 10 m thick; the ground water level about 10 m under the surface. That means a 

permeable reactive barrier system of about 20 m depth has to be installed. The permeability of the aquifer 

is about kf ≈ 10-3 – 10-4 m/s. 

The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (50%). The other 

project partners are: Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich; 

Dr. Franz Schenker, Geological Consulting, Meggen; BATIGROUP AG, construction company, Zurich 

and Ulrich Leisi, Willisau (owner of the plant), (all together 50%). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

132 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

In the initial stage of the project, appropriate adsorptive filler (e.g., clay, bentonite, modified clay, or 

bentonite, zeolite) will be evaluated in the laboratory. They will be characterised based on mineralogy 

(e.g., x-ray, BET surface, exchange capacity). Following the selection of suitable materials, various mixes 

of reactive and filler materials will be prepared. This mixture will be tested regarding its effectiveness to 

reduce the contaminants, as well as regarding its mechanical behaviour and stability. Soil mechanical tests 

(e.g., permeability tests, erosion tests, and compressive strength tests) will be carried out. Batch and 

column tests will be used to measure parameters like adsorption capacity, time of reaction, and byproducts. 

At the same time, field data from the plant, especially regarding geology and hydrogeology, will be 

collected. Depending on the results, the ground water flow and contaminant transport will be modeled 

using a simulation system. The design of the reactive wall or the funnel-and-gate system (e.g., length, 

depth, and number of gates) also will be calculated using flow and transport modeling. 

After finishing the laboratory tests, the PRB will be installed in the field. The construction of the PRB 

with the chosen suitable material for underground conditions will be tested in situ. The field results 

obtained will be compared with both the laboratory and numerical values. During the field installation 

careful performance monitoring is required. Parameters requiring monitoring to assess performance 

include: contaminant concentration and distribution, presence of possible by-products and reaction 

intermediates, ground water conductivity and ground water levels, permeability of the PRB, and ground 

water quality. Monitoring wells will be installed on both sides (upgradient and downgradient) of the wall 

in order to obtain information about remediation of contaminants and of the long-term performance (longterm monitoring). 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Mineralogical composition will be determined using x-ray diffraction, BET surface area measurements 

with nitrogen, exchange capacity, and porosity. Pore size distribution will be determined with mercury 

pressure porosimetry and adsorption characteristics with water isotherms. 

Chemical analysis depending on type of contaminant (e.g., atom adsorption spectometry or infrared 

spectometry) will be conducted. 

Soil mechanical parameters will be determined using Swiss Standard Tests (e.g., compressive strength by 

unconfined compression strength tests, stress and deformation behaviour by oedometer tests, timesettlement behaviour (consolidation) by oedometer tests, friction angle and cohesion by direct shear tests, 

permeability tests with triaxial permeability cells). 

5. RESULTS 

The project started in summer 2000. Laboratory tests are running to evaluate appropriate adsorptive filler 

materials. There are no final results available at the moment. The installation of the PRB will start in 

autumn/winter 2001. The performance will be evaluated in the following months and years by monitoring 

the ground water quality, the remaining adsorption capacity of the filler material, and the functioning of 

the whole wall system. 

The results of the project will be presented in half-year periods to the Swiss Agency for the Environment, 

Forests and Landscape and to all persons involved. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

133 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

During the installation of the PRB, no volatile substances will be released because no volatile 

contaminants were measured in the water or in the soil. 

To avoid direct contact with heavy metals during excavation of soil and installation of the PRB, suitable 

coveralls, shoes, and gloves had to be worn by the manual workers. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

An emission of volatile substances will not occur because of the above-mentioned types of contaminants. 

To avoid an unacceptable noise level during the installation of the PRB, the Swiss Regulations will be 

followed. 

Pumped water will be analysed and, in the case of contamination, sent to a treatment plant. 

8. COSTS 

In the very early stages of this project, the cost was estimated about sfr. 1.3M (about U.S.$ 0.8M). 

Specific costs will be reported at a later date. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

The objective of this research project is the development of a novel adsorptive media to apply in PRBs for 

ground water cleanup at a chromium-contaminated site. Geochemical and soil mechanical tests are 

currently being conducted. Laboratory test results should be applied and verified by implementing field 

tests. 

As soon as suitable, the permeable adsorptive reactive barrier system should be verified in full-scale at the 

chromium contaminated wood impregnation plant in Willisau. During and after installation of the PRB, a 

monitoring concept has to be carried out to verify the long-term behaviour of the reactive wall, as well as 

the ground water contamination. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency: Field Applications of in situ Remediation 

Technologies: Permeable Reactive Barriers. In EPA 542–R–99–002, 1999. 

2. Gavaskar, A.R.; Gupta, N.; Sass, B.M.; Janosy, R.J. & O'Sullivan, D.: Permeable Barriers for 

Groundwater Remediation. Design, Construction and Monitoring. Ohio: Batelle Press Columbus, 

1998. 

3. Köhler, S. and Hermanns Stengele, R.: Permeable Reactive Barrier Systems for Groundwater 

Cleanup. GeoEng 2000. International Conference on Geotechnical & Geological Engineering, 

Melbourne: (in print) 2000 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

134 

Project No. 22 

Thermal In-situ Remediation of the Unsaturated Zone by Steam Injection 

Location 

Former hazardous waste disposal 

site, 

Mühlacker, Germany 

Project Status 

Finished 

Contaminants 

TCE, BTEX 

Technology Type 

Steam injection 

Project Dates 

July 1999- 

November 2001

Media 

Unsaturated zone 

Technical Contact 

Dr.-Ing. H.-P. Koschitzky 

Dipl.-Ing. T. Theurer 

Research Facility for Subsurface 

Remediation, VEGAS 

University of Stuttgart 

Pfaffenwaldring 61 

D-70569 Stuttgart, Germany 

E-mail: hans-peter.koschitzky@

iws.uni-stuttgart.de

Costs 

Documented? 

yes 

Project Size 

Pilot-scale 

Results Available? 

yes 

Project 22 was completed in 2001. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Combined steam injection and soil vapour extraction can accelerate and improve the clean-up of 

contaminated unsaturated soils due to significant changes in contaminant properties with increasing 

temperature. The main effect is the dramatic increase in contaminant vapour pressures leading to high 

removal rates in the vapour phase. 

A pilot scale demonstration project using this technology has been carried out at a former hazardous 

waste disposal site near the town of Mühlacker in southwestern Germany. 

2. BACKGROUND 

In the late 1960s a disposal site for hazardous wastes containing chlorinated solvents and galvanic sludges 

was opened in a forest near Mühlacker. The wastes were deposited within a layer of silty loam, which was 

considered to be impermeable enough to protect the subsurface underneath from being contaminated by 

the leachate of the waste site. Nevertheless, by the late 1970s, contaminants had migrated through the 

unsaturated zone, below which consists of highly heterogeneous weathered sandy marl and were detected 

in the underlying keuper gypsum aquifer 30 m below ground surface. Detailed site investigation lead to 

the conclusion that separate phase contaminants (mainly TCE) were retained by a capillary barrier 

intersecting the unsaturated zone at a depth of 15 m below ground surface. 

Soon after that the site was included in the model site program ("Modellvorhaben") funded by the state of 

Baden-Württemberg and remediation activities started. The site was encapsulated by sheet piles and an 

asphalt cover was placed on the surface to reduce the leachate flux from the deposited waste. Remediation 

of the deposited waste itself and the groundwater zone was conducted as well as conventional soil vapour 

extraction in the unsaturated zone. Due to the complex nature of the subsurface, in-situ remediation of the 

unsaturated zone by means of conventional methods was ineffective. To enhance contaminant removal a 

thermally enhanced remediation scheme was installed in a section of the site where steam can be injected 

in the highly contaminated zone between 7 and 15 m below ground surface. The total volume of soil to be 

treated in the target area is approximately 3000 m3

. 

The pilot plant was operated by the two companies Züblin Umwelttechnik GmbH and Preussag 

Wassertechnik GmbH and VEGAS from the University of Stuttgart, who conducted the scientific 

oversight. The pilot study was funded by the "Kommunaler Altlastenfonds" and the city of Mühlacker, 

represented by the consultant company Weber-Ingenieure GmbH. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

135 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The egg-shaped test field with a diameter of about 20 m consisted of one central steam injection well 

surrounded by six extraction wells. The extraction wells could be used simultaneously for vapour and 

liquid extraction. All wells reached to a depth of 16 m below ground surface and were screened from 7 m 

to 15 m. Steam was generated using a gas-fired 110 kW steam generator. Extracted gases were passed 

through a condenser. Incondensable gases were passed through a catalytic combustion unit before being 

vented to the surrounding atmosphere. Condensate was passed through liquid separators where the 

contaminant was separated from the water. Liquids were removed from the wells with surge pumps, 

passed through a cooler and passed through a separator to seperate the non-aqueous phase (NAPL) from 

the water. 

In order to measure temperatures in the subsurface up to a depth of 15 m, ten temperature monitoring 

lances were installed with a total of 100 sensors spaced every 70 cm of depth. Detailed monitoring of gas 

and liquid flow rates and temperatures was carried out during the pilot test. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Soil samples were taken and analyzed to determine the extend of subsurface contamination. For this 

purpose contaminants were extracted from the soil by a solvent and analyzed using the HPLC method. 

During operation, contaminant concentrations were measured regularly in the extracted vapours and 

liquids using GC and HPLC methods and a flame ionization detector (FID). 

5. RESULTS 

After a total of ten months of steam injection, almost complete heating of the target zone has been 

achieved. The problem of the steam front being displaced by the high water content of the soil material 

could be overcome by filtering the water particles out of the injected steam. Intermittent steam injection 

was used to reach a more uniform temperature distribution in the subsurface. Since the completion of the 

steam injection in March 2001, the test field has been cooling. Altogether, 2800 kgs of TCE have been 

removed, of which about 95% were extracted in the gaseous phase and the remaining part as solute in 

condensed water. 

Figure 1: Mass output performance in steam injection pilot study compared to cold soil vapour extraction 

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Years of operation “cold” soil vapour extraction/steam injection

Prognosis for “cold” soil vapour extraction

Measured extracted mass in “cold” SVE

Measured extracted mass in pilot study

T . 8.5 Years
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

136 

The mass output performance of the pilot study is shown in Figure 1. At the field site, cold soil vapour 

extraction had been conducted for approx. one year before the pilot study, resulting in the high 

contaminant removal rate shown by the line with dots. However, at the beginning of the steam injection 

pilot study, performance had been decreased. The thermal treatment again raised the removal rate and 

kept it high during the steam injection. Compared with the period estimated for remediation with cold soil 

vapour extraction (dashed line), steam injection meant a saving of 8.5 years. 

Estimating the performance of cold soil vapour extraction to be expected (dashed line), the conclusion 

that steam injection resulted in a time saving of 8,5 years for remediation can be drawn. 

The project was finished and accounted for end of September, 2001. The cooling process, however, is 

expected to continue approximately until the end of 2002. Subsurface temperatures will be measured 

frequently in longer intervals to survey the cooling process. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Safety equipment was used by the staff according to German safety regulations. The pilot plant was 

equipped with warning systems to control vapour and liquid streams, temperatures and performance of 

the pumps. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Extracted vapours and liquids were cleaned on-site in a treatment facility consisting of a catalytic 

combustion unit and stripping columns. Thus, emissions to the environment were entirely avoided. 

Measures for protection against noise were undertaken. Wells were installed to monitor contaminant 

concentrations in the underlying aquifer in order to be able to take interactive measures in the case of a 

possible mobilisation of DNAPL. 

8. COSTS 

The costs for the cleanup of the extracted soil air could only be determined theoretically because, at the 

field site, the cleaning was coupled to a large plant for groundwater and cold soil vapour extraction and it 

was not possible to calculate the costs of the pilot study alone. 

Figure 2: The cost and cost distribution of steam injection pilot study 

17%

43%

7%

7%

16% 10%

Cost distribution steam

injection (.500,000 i)

Well construction

Vapour extraction

Consumption

Purification

Personnel

Steam injection
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

137 

Expenses of about 200,-i per cubic meter and approximately 190,- i per kilogram of extracted TCE 

were estimated. 

Figure 2 shows the cost distribution of the pilot study. By far the highest expenses were incured by the 

costly soil vapour extraction plant, which must be fitted for hot gases and treatment of different phases. 

Energy consumption accounted for only a small fraction. The cost of cold soil vapour extraction 

calculated for the whole remediation period (see Figure 1) would have been 50% higher than that of the 

pilot study. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Despite the low permeability of the subsurface, steam injection could be applied successfully. The 

problem of the buoyancy of the heat front because of capillary water in the subsurface could be overcome 

by ensuring only a very low water input. Use of intermittent steam injection towards the end of the 

heating process led to a more uniform temperature distribution. Conductive heat transport in injection 

breaks warmed up regions of the soil where convective heat transport was negligible. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Koschitzky, H.-P., Theurer, T., Schmidt, R., Winkler, A., Färber, A. (2000): Pilot-scale study of 

steam injection for thermal in-situ remediation of the unsaturated zone below a hazardous waste site. 

Proc. ConSoil2000, Leipzig 

2. Koschitzky, H.-P., Theurer, T., Schmidt, R., Winkler, A., Färber, A. (2000b): In situ remediation of 

unsaturated zone by steam injection: results of pilot studies. Proc. `Implementation of in-situ 

remediation techniques: Chlorinated solvents and heavy metalsA, Utrecht 

3. Koschitzky, H.-P., Theurer, T., Färber, A. (2001): Einsatz des thermischen In-situSanierungsverfahrens TUBA unter schwierigen Bedingungen. Boden und Altlasten-Symposium, 

Berlin 21.02.-22.02. 2001 (in German) 

4. Schmidt, R., Koschitzky, H.-P. (1999): Pilothafte Sanierung eines BTEX Schadens an einem 

ehemaligen Gaswerksstandort mit der thermisch unterstützten Bodenluftabsaugung (TUBA) durch 

Dampfinjektion, Wiss. Bericht WB 99/5 (HG 262), Institut für Wasserbau, Universität Stuttgart (in 

German). 

5. Theurer, T., Winkler, A., Koschitzky, H.-P. & Schmidt, R. (2000): Remediation of a landfill 

contamination by steam injection. In: Groundwater 2000, Proc. of the Intl. Conference on 

Groundwater Research, Copenhagen, Denmark, 6-8 June 2000, 371-372. 

6. Theurer, T., Koschitzky, H.-P., Färber, A. (2001): Modellvorhaben Mühlacker: Modellhafte In-situSanierung durch Dampfinjektion nach dem TUBA-Verfahren. Technischer Bericht 2001/03 (HG 

280), Institut für Wasserbau, Universität Stuttgart (in German). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

138 

Project No. 23 

Bioremediation of Pesticides7 

Location 

Stauffer Management Company 

Superfund Site, Tampa, FL

Project Status 

Completed Project 

Contaminants 

Chlordane, DDT, 

DDD, DDE, 

dieldrin, molinate, 

toxaphene 

Technology Type 

Composting 

process (Xenorem 

TM) 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2000 

Final Report 2001 

Media 

Soil and pond sediments 

Technical Contact 

Brad Jackson 

U.S. EPA, Region 4 

61 Forsyth Street, SW 

Atlanta, GA 30303-8960 

Tel: 404-562-8925 

Fax: 404-562-8896 

Neil C.C. Gray, Ph.D. 

AstraZeneca Canada 

2101 Hadwen Road 

Mississauga, Ontario 

L5K 2L3 

Tel: 905-403-2748 

Fax: 905-823-0047 

E-mail: neil.gray@astrazeneca.com

Costs Documented? 

Yes, for both field 

demonstration and 

full-scale operations 

Project Size 

Field Demonstration: 

500 yd3 

Full-scale: 8,000 yd3 

Full-scale: 16,000 yd3 

in 4,000 yd3 batches 

Results Available? 

Yes, for both field 

demonstration 

and full-scale 

operations 

Project 23 was completed in 2001. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The Stauffer Management Company (SMC) Tampa site is one among a small number of U.S. 

contaminated waste sites implementing bioremediation at full-scale to cleanup soils with pesticide 

contamination. A completed field demonstration (500 yd3

) using soil contaminated with high levels of 

DDT showed that the DDT could be biodegraded without the end accumulation of the major metabolites, 

DDD and DDE. In comparison, DDT was readily degradable, so was the more recalcitrant metabolites; a 

reduction of more than 90 percent for DDD occurred. 

Beginning in May 2000, the project has been operating under full-scale conditions at the SMC Tampa 

site, with 4,000 yd3

 of contaminated soil being treated in each batch. 

In addition to the operation at the SMC site, 8,000 yd3

 of pesticide contaminated soil (with high levels of 

toxaphene) from the Helena Chemical superfund site (Tampa, FL) was also excavated and successfully 

treated using this technology; this project was finished in early 2001. 

2. BACKGROUND 

Located in Tampa, Florida, the SMC site formulated and distributed agricultural chemical products 

(organochlorine, thiocarbamate and organophorphorus pesticides) from 1951 to 1986. Up to 1973, waste 

materials from the facility were disposed of on site by two methods: burial or incineration. The 

containerized wastes, packaging materials, and other pesticides buried led to pesticide contamination in 

soil, surface water, and sediment in on site ponds and in groundwater underlying the site. 

The site received final status under the Superfund program in 1996. Thermal desorption was initially 

chosen as the remedial option. However, due to high sulfur and other compounds in the soil, the 

implementation of thermal desorption was determined to be unsafe for the SMC site. Therefore, 

bioremediation was identified as the selected remedy for the pesticide-contaminated surface soils and 

sediments at the site. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

139 

The objective of the laboratory research trials and the field demonstration was to determine if the 

composting process could meet the specified cleanup levels or achieve 90 percent reduction in 

contaminant concentration. These objectives were met, leading to the implementation of bioremediation 

as the full-scale technology for the site. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

AstraZeneca Canada, an affiliated company of SMC, developed a patented enhanced composting process 

called XenoremTM for remediating soils contaminated with recalcitrant organics, such as chlorinated 

pesticides, PAHs and explosives. XenoremTM uses anaerobic and aerobic cycles to bioremediate the 

parent compound and daughter products of concern. Laboratory studies (e.g. radio-labeled biodegradation 

studies, fate studies, microbial screening etc.), were followed by comparative lab and pilot studies (14, 60, 

and 100 yd3

), and a field study (500 yd3), before moving to full-scale operations. A number of 

engineering configurations were also comparatively evaluated in the field, including landfarming, 

biopiles, and composting in order to evaluate the XenoremTM technology. 

Organic amendments are added to the contaminated soil to enhance the temperature within the pile and to 

aid in creating the anaerobic periods. Aerobic periods were created by mechanical mixing, using a SCAT 

windrow turner. The indigenous microflora associated with the contaminated soil is manipulated by 

changing the environment associated with the soil matrix. Based on a decision tree, created from the 

results of microcosm and respirometry studies, the duration and degree of each of the anaerobic/aerobic 

cycles is predetermined. 

For the first 4,000 yd3

 batch, the soil was excavated, screened, mixed and amended with dairy manure, 

wood chips and chicken litter. The amended soil matrix was engineered into a compost windrow, built 

inside a Big Top structure. Due to potential odor issues from some of the pesticides, and the high 

groundwater table in the area, it was prudent to carryout the operation in an enclosure. An odor abatement 

system, consisting of two blowers, four particulate prefilters and a 10 ton carbon charge to polish the air 

stream was used. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

To monitor the progress in the full-scale operation, eight composite samples were collected from the 

windrow, on a regular basis (e.g. after an anaerobic/aerobic cycle); the seven chemicals of concern, as 

listed in the record of decision for the site, were chlordane, DDD, DDE, DDT, dieldrin, molinate and 

toxaphene. At time-zero (T0) and at the end of the run (Tf), 40 composite samples were taken. The soil 

samples were analyzed using EPA Method 8081A. For toxaphene analysis, gel permeation 

chromatography (SW846 Method 3640A) and sulfuric acid (based on SW846 Method 3665A) clean-up 

methods were performed on the soil samples prior to chemical analysis by EPA Method 8081A. 

The environmental parameters (temperature, redox, oxygen, and moisture levels) were monitored 

continuously using a data acquisition/controller system, permitting real-time access to the data. 

Measurement confirmation was also carried out using hand-held probes. 

5. RESULTS 

Tables 1 and 2 show the cleanup levels specified for selected constituents, the initial (T0) and end (Tf) 

concentrations for the field trial and full-scale operation, and the percent reduction in concentration over 

that period. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

140 

Table 1: Summary of End-Points Achieved for the 500 yd3 Field Trial 

Pesticide ROD Level 

(ppm) 

To Value 

(ppm) 

Tf Value 

(ppm) 

% Degraded Comments 

Chlordane 2.3 47.5 5.2 89 Ca. 90% 

DDD 12.6 242 23.1 90.5 >90% 

DDE 8.91 11.3 6.8 40 ROD 

DDT 8.91 88.4 1.2 98 ROD 

Dieldrin 0.19 3.1 <MDL <MDL <MDL 

Molinate 0.74 10.2 <MDL <MDL <MDL 

Toxaphene 2.75 469 29 94 >90% 

Table 2: Summary of End-Points Achieved for the 4,000 yd3

 Full-scale Operation 

Pesticide ROD Level 

(ppm) 

To Value 

(ppm) 

Tf Value 

(ppm) 

% Degraded Comments 

Chlordane 2.3 3.8 <MDL <MDL ROD 

DDD 12.6 26 9.3 65 ROD 

DDE 8.91 6.6 2.1 68 ROD 

DDT 8.91 82 9.8 88 ROD 

Dieldrin 0.19 2.4 <MDL <MDL ROD 

Molinate 0.74 0.2 <MDL <MDL ROD 

Toxaphene 2.75 129 7.8 94 >94% 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

A complete Work Plan, including a Site Specific Health and Safety Plan was followed for both the field 

trial as well as for the full-scale operation. Air monitoring was carried out during all soil handling 

operations, with no excursions over the action limits cited. 

It should be noted that if the soil contains high levels of sulfur, the production of hydrogen sulfide could 

occur. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

No environmental impacts were found. Once the soil is treated, it is available to be used as fill at the site. 

8. COSTS 

For the full-scale operation (4,000 yd3

 batch) the total project costs were estimated at $192/yd3, including 

$132/yd3

 for the treatment using XenoremTM; this cost can be significantly reduced if the work is carried 

out by the owner of the site, if the amendments used are local and if the operation is greater in scale. 

Regulatory requirements and/or the end point that has to be achieved also influence the costing. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Data collected in the field trial, the full-scale operation, and the previous laboratory and pilot-scale work 

demonstrated that the ROD chemicals of concern are biodegradable. The XenoremTM technology, when 

operating within the optimal environmental/process windows is effective in reducing the target pesticides 

to the ROD levels and/or at least 90%, for the SMC Tampa site. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

141 

It has been demonstrated that the field conditions can be manipulated/controlled to provide/create the 

necessary conditions for the technology to work successfully. As additional data and “learning curve” 

experiences are evaluated, the operational parameters for each new batch are being modified, to increase 

the overall efficiency of the operation. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Gray, N.C.C., P.R. Cline, A.L. Gray, L.E. Moser, G.P. Moser, H.A. Guiler, B. Boyd and D.J. 

Gannon, 2001. Full-scale soil bioremediation of chlorinated pesticides. 6th In Situ and On-Site 

Bioremediation International Symposium, San Diego, CA. June 4th-7th. 

2. Gray, N.C.C., P.R. Cline, A.L. Gray, L.E. Moser, G.P. Moser, H.A. Guiler, B. Boyd and D.J. 

Gannon, 2000. Bioremediation of DDT and toxaphene contaminated soils. 16th Annual International 

Conference on Contaminated Soils, Sediments and Water, Amherst, MA, October 16th. 

3. Gray, N.C.C., P.R. Cline, A.L. Gray, L.E. Moser, G.P. Moser, H.A. Guiler, B. Boyd, and D.J. 

Gannon, 2000. Anaerobic/aerobic cycling to bioremediate pesticide contaminated soils. 6th 

International Conference on Advanced Oxidation Technologies for Water and Air Remediation, 

London, Ontario, June 25-30th. 

4. Gray, N.C.C., P.R. Cline, G.P. Moser and D.J. Gannon, 2000. Bioremediation of toxaphene 

contaminated soil. Second International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant 

Compounds. Monterey, CA. May 24th. 

5. Gray, N.C.C., 2000. Full-scale bioremediation of chlorinated pesticides, Biotech Mag, April edition 

6. Moser, G.P., N.C.C. Gray and D.J. Gannon, 2000. Treatment of nitroaromatic contaminated soils 

using the Xenorem technology. Second International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and 

Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA. May 23rd. 

7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000. Cost and Performance Report: Bioremediation at the 

Stauffer Management Company Superfund Site, Tampa, Florida. 

8. Moser, G.P., N.C.C. Gray and D.J. Gannon. 2000. Compost Decontamination of Soil Contaminated 

with Polychlorinated Biphenyls Using Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms. U.S. Patent No. 

6,083,738 (July 4th). 

9. Moser, G.P. and N.C.C. Gray. 2000. Compost Decontamination of Soil Contaminated with 

Pentachlorophenol Using Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms. U.S. Patent No. 6,033,899 (March 

7th). 

10. Moser, G.P., N.C.C. Gray and D.J. Gannon, 2000. Compost Decontamination of Soil Contaminated 

with Polychlorinated Biphenyls using Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms. U.S. Patent No. 

6,083,738 (July 13th). 

11. Moser, G.P. and N.C.C. Gray, 1999. Compost Decontamination of Soil Contaminated with TNT, 

HMX, and RDX with Aerobic and Anaerobic Microorganisms. U.S. Patent Number: 5,998,199 

(December 7th). 

12. Gray, N.C.C., G.P. Moser and L.E. Moser, 1999. Compost Decontamination of Soil Contaminated 

with Chlorinated Toxicants. U.S. Patent Number 5,902,744 (May 11th). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

142 

13. Bernier, R.L., N.C.C. Gray and A.L. Gray, 1997. Anaerobic/aerobic Decontamination of DDT 

Contaminated Soil by Repeated Anaerobic/Aerobic Treatments. U.S. Patent Number: 5,660,613 

(August 26th). 

14. Bernier, R.L., N.C.C. Gray and L.E. Moser, 1997. Compost Decontamination of DDT Contaminated 

Soil. U.S. Patent Number: 5,660,612 (August 26th). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

143 

Project No. 24 

Surfactant-Enhanced Aquifer Remediation 

Location 

Site 88, Marine Corps Base, 

Camp Lejeune, NC 

Project Status 

Completed Project 

Contaminants 

Tetrachloroethylene 

(PCE) 

Technology Type 

Surfactant flushing 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2000 

Final Report 2001 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technical Contacts 

Laura Yeh 

Naval Facilities Engineering 

Service Center 

1100 23rd Ave. 

Port Hueneme, CA 93043 

Tel: 805-982-1660 

Fax: 805-982-1592 

E-mail: yehsl@nfesc.navy.mil 

Leland M. Vane, Ph.D. 

U.S. EPA 

National Risk Management 

Research Laboratory 

26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. 

Cincinnati, OH 45268 

Tel: 519-569-7799 

Fax: 513-569-7677 

E-mail: vane.leland@epa.gov 

Gary A. Pope, Ph.D. 

The University of Texas 

Austin, TX 78712 

Tel: 512-471-3235 

Fax: 512-471-3605 

E-mail: gpope@mail.utexas.edu 

Frederick J. Holzmer 

Duke Engineering & Services 

4433 NW Seneca Ct. 

Camas, WA 98607 

Tel: 360-834-6352 

Fax: 360-834-7003 

E-mail: 

fjholzme@dukeengineering.com 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Field Demonstration 

(wellfield size of 20 feet 

by 30 feet) 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 24 was completed in 2001. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Surfactant flushing offers the potential to address hazardous waste sites contaminated with non-aqueous 

phase liquids (NAPL) in groundwater. A field demonstration of surfactant enhanced aquifer remediation 

(SEAR) was conducted for dense-NAPL (DNAPL) remediation at the Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp 

Lejeune Superfund Site. The project was the first field demonstration to implement surfactant recycling 

(i.e., surfactant recovery and reinjection) in the United States. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

144 

2. BACKGROUND 

A PCE-DNAPL zone was identified and delineated at the central dry cleaning facility, known as Site 88, 

at the MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Discovered by extensive soil sampling in 1997, the site was 

further characterized by a partitioning interwell tracer test (PITT) in 1998. 

The DNAPL zone is located in a shallow aquifer beneath the dry cleaning facility at a depth of 

approximately 17 to 20 feet below ground surface (bgs). A thick clay aquitard is present at about 20 feet 

bgs, which has effectively prevented further downward DNAPL migration at this site. The shallow 

aquifer is characterized as a relatively low-permeability formation composed of fine to very-fine sand, 

with a fining downward sequence in the bottom two feet of the aquifer. The bottom, fine-grained zone, 

referred to as the basal silt layer, grades to silt then clayey silt before contacting the aquitard. Permeability 

decreases downward through the basal silt layer as a function of decreasing grain size with depth. 

DNAPL was present in the test zone as free-phase and residual DNAPL in the fine sand and basal silt. 

Recovery of free-phase DNAPL was undertaken before the PITT by conventional pumping and water 

flooding. The pre-surfactant PITT measured approximately 74-88 gallons of PCE in the test zone. The 

average DNAPL saturation estimated by the PITT was approximately 4 percent near the dry-cleaning 

building and decreased to about 0.4 percent at a distance of about 15 to 20 feet from the building. 

A field demonstration of surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR) was conducted at Site 88 

during the spring of 1999. The objectives of the field demonstration were to: (1) validate in situ surfactant 

flooding for DNAPL removal; (2) promote the effective use of surfactants for widespread DNAPL 

removal; (3) demonstrate that surfactants can be recovered and reused; and (4) show that surfactant 

recycle can significantly reduce the overall cost of applying surfactants for subsurface remediation. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The plan-view footprint of the SEAR demonstration well field was 20 feet by 30 feet. The SEAR 

demonstration was conducted during April to August 1999, with a 58-day surfactant flood and followed 

by a 74-day water flood. The demonstration utilized a custom surfactant, Alfoterra 145 4-PO sulfateTM, 

which was developed for the dual objectives of high PCE solubilization and desirable effluent treatment 

properties (for surfactant recovery and reuse). 

During the surfactant injection period, the extraction well effluent was treated using two membrane-based 

processes to first remove the contaminant and then to reconcentrate the surfactant for reinjection. 

Pervaporation was used to remove PCE from the extraction well effluent while micellar enhanced 

ultrafiltration (MEUF) was employed to recover the surfactant. Regulations by the state of NC required 

95 percent contaminant removal prior to surfactant reinjection. The pervaporation system removed 99.94 

percent of the PCE from groundwater in the absence of surfactant and 95.8 percent PCE during periods of 

peak surfactant concentrations. The MEUF system concentrated the surfactant from < 1 percent by weight 

(wt %) in the extraction well effluent to 5 wt%, slightly above the reinjection concentration of 4 wt%. 

Recovered surfactant was reinjected into the contaminated aquifer for the final 18 days of the surfactant 

flood, thereby demonstrating the technical and regulatory feasibility of recovering and reusing surfactants 

for aquifer remediation projects. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Monitoring included the regular collection of samples for analysis, in accordance with the sampling and 

analysis plan. System operations also were continually monitored according to the work plan. Likewise, 

the analytical methods used to monitor and assess the SEAR performance can be found in the sampling 

and analysis plan. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

145 

5. RESULTS 

A total of 76 gallons of PCE was recovered during the surfactant flood and subsequent water flood, of 

which approximately 32 gallons of PCE were recovered as solubilized DNAPL and 44 gallons were 

recovered as mobilized free-phase DNAPL. Performance assessment of the demonstration is based upon 

the analysis of 60 soil core samples that were collected at the completion of the SEAR demonstration. 

Continuous soil cores were collected from approximately 17-20 ft bgs and field preserved with methanol. 

Soil core data analysis estimated that a total of 29±7 gallons of DNAPL remains in the test zone following 

the surfactant flood, distributed between the upper zone (fine sand sediments) and the lower zone (basal 

silt layer). 

Post-SEAR soil core data was further analyzed by subdividing the data into the upper and lower zones to 

evaluate the effects of decreasing permeability upon the post-SEAR DNAPL distribution. The results 

indicate that approximately 5 gallons of DNAPL remains in the upper zone, i.e., equivalent to about 92-96 

percent removal from the upper zone, and approximately 24 gallons of the DNAPL is estimated to remain 

in the lower zone, which was relatively unaffected by the surfactant flood. Effective DNAPL recovery 

from the lower zone was limited by the permeability contrast between the upper fine sand zone and the 

low-permeability basal silt layer. Hydraulic conductivity (K) in the upper zone is estimated to be on the 

order of about 1 x 10-4 to 5 x 10-4 cm/sec (0.28 – 1.4 ft/day), whereas K in the basal silt is estimated to be 

as low as about 1 x 10-5 to 1 x 10-4 cm/sec (0.028 - 0.28 ft/day), decreasing with depth to the aquitard. 

Based on soil samples analyzed prior to the surfactant flood, the highest pre-SEAR DNAPL saturations 

occurred in the upper, more permeable zone. The upper zone is the primary transmissivity zone for 

transport of the dissolved-phase PCE plume at Camp Lejeune. Data analysis of post-SEAR DNAPL 

conditions indicates that greater than 92 percent of the source was removed from the upper, transmissive 

zone, and that the remaining DNAPL is relatively isolated in the basil silt layer (i.e., low-permeability 

zone). The flux of dissolved PCE, from dissolution of DNAPL in the lower zone, to the upper zone will 

be primarily limited to diffusion. Therefore, the source of the dissolved PCE plume is believed to be 

substantially mitigated compared to pre-SEAR conditions. The overall effect of the surfactant flood is that 

transport of the dissolved PCE plume from the SEAR treatment zone should be greatly reduced since the 

primary mechanism for plume generation is now largely limited to diffusion of dissolved PCE from the 

basal silt zone to the overlying transmissive zone. Details of this demonstration project can be found in 

the Final Technical Report (Battelle and Duke Engineering & Services, 2001a). 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

No significant health and safety issues are associated with the implementation of SEAR, other than 

potential exposure to DNAPL from handling the DNAPL-laden wastewater. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Environmental impact concerns for surfactant flushing include: hydraulic containment and recovery of 

injected fluids, toxicity and biodegradability of the surfactant, and the potential risk associated with 

mobilizing DNAPL. The demonstration at Site 88 maintained effective hydraulic control and recovery of 

the injectate, with the exception of a minor loss of hydraulic control for a short period, followed by 

reestablishment of hydraulic control. The surfactant used at Camp Lejeune exhibits low toxicity and was 

biodegradable. DNAPL was mobilized, by design, during the demonstration. Downward migration by 

mobilized DNAPL was addressed as result of the thick aquitard present at the site. 

8. COSTS 

An evaluation of the costs associated with the demonstration, as well as estimated costs for a full-scale 

remediation at Camp Lejeune, can be found in the Cost and Performance Report for Surfactant Enhanced 

Aquifer Remediation (SEAR) Demonstration, Site 88, MCB Camp Lejeune, NC (Battelle and Duke 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

146 

Engineering & Services, 2001b). The report also includes a comparison of costs for full-scale SEAR at a 

high-permeability site, as well as cost comparisons to alternative remedial technologies. The alternative 

technologies were compared only on a cost basis since there is no performance data for these technologies 

at Site 88, MCB Camp Lejeune. Under the majority of scenarios studied, contaminant removal followed 

by recovery and reuse of surfactant provided an overall cost savings. However, in all scenarios, the net 

effect on remediation cost of recovering and reusing surfactants was marginal. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Results from the project indicate greater than 92 percent removal from the upper portion of the treatment 

zone, which is the zone that contained the highest DNAPL saturations before conducting the 

demonstration. The DNAPL in the basal silt layer (i.e., low-permeability zone) was relatively unaffected 

by the surfactant flood. The SEAR demonstration targeted the removal of DNAPL from only 

approximately 25 percent of the entire DNAPL zone for Site 88. Therefore, the amount of reduction in the 

PCE plume as a result of the demonstration is difficult to confirm at this time unless the remainder of the 

DNAPL zone is remediated to a similar degree as the demonstration area. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Battelle and Duke Engineering & Services, 2001a. “Final Technical Report for Surfactant-Enhanced 

DNAPL Removal at Site 88, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.” Prepared for 

NFESC by Battelle, Columbus, OH and Duke Engineering & Services, Austin, TX. 

2. Battelle and Duke Engineering & Services, 2001b. “Final Cost and Performance Report for Surfactant 

Enhanced DNAPL Removal at Site 88, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.” Prepared 

for Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center (NFESC) by Battelle, Columbus, OH and Duke 

Engineering & Services, Austin, TX. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

147 

Project No. 25 

Liquid Nitrogen Enhanced Remediation (LINER): A New Concept for the 

Stimulation of the Biological Degradation of Chlorinated Solvents

Location 

The Netherlands 

Project Status 

New project 

Media 

Soil and groundwater 

Technology Type 

Substrate injection 

Project Dates

February 2000- 

July 2003 

Contaminants

VOCls 

Technical Contact 

Chris Schuren, 

Emile Marnette 

Tauw bv 

E-mail: chs@tauw.nl 

Gijsbert-Jan Groenendijk 

Hoek Loos bv

Costs Documented? Project Size 

Field demonstration 

Results Available? 

Yes 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

One of the major problems involved in soil remediation today is the treatment of deep groundwater 

contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons. Biological degradation by microorganisms will often be the 

best clean-up option. In practice, however, the addition of the substrate required to stimulate the 

biological processes in-situ is a problem. Substrate infiltrated in liquid form mixes very slowly with the 

contaminated groundwater and infiltration systems tend to clog easily. Furthermore, the limited radius of 

influence of an infiltration well requires a dense network of wells. 

In cooperation with gas company Hoek Loos, engineering consultancy Tauw has developed a new 

remediation concept, overcoming most of the limitations inherent to the conventional in-situ biological 

systems for degradation of CAH. 

Remediation of soil contaminated with CAH. The Netherlands have numerous sites contaminated with 

CAH. The most common remediation approach concerns pump and treat. However, authorities frequently 

impose severe restrictions on groundwater extraction. In-situ air sparging based on the injection of 

compressed air (possibly in combination with techniques such as steam injection, electro reclamation etc.) 

may be an alternative for contaminants located in relatively shallow soil layers. 

Over the past few years, methods to promote indigenous biological degradation of contaminations at 

greater depths have been developed: the bacterial population present is stimulated to biotransform CAH 

contamination. All methods involve introduction of a substrate (electron donor) into the subsurface. 

Groundwater substrate transport. Substrate infiltrated in the subsurface as a liquid will mix very 

slowly with the ambient groundwater. Degradation will mainly occur at the interface of the infiltrated 

substrate and the contaminated groundwater. Infiltrated substrate flowing along with groundwater may be 

degraded before reaching other contaminated areas downstream. Consequently, the network of infiltration 

points required to effectively stimulate an existing natural attenuation processes will have to be very 

dense. The cost of such networks makes them practically unfeasible, particularly for contaminations 

located at large depths. Another potential problem involved in infiltration of substrates in liquid form is 

clogging of the wells by biomass formation. 

LINER - Gas/substrate injection. The injection of a substrate with gas as a means for distribution is a 

concept, which has not yet been tested as a remediation technique. This method combines two concepts: 

stimulation of biodegradation of CAH by the addition of a substrate, and in-situ air sparging. Due to the 

anaerobic nature of the targeted microbiological processes, nitrogen gas was used instead of compressed 

air. The flow rate at which gas is distributed both horizontally and vertically within the soil is expected to 

be much higher than that of water, which should make the injection of gas a much more effective 

procedure than infiltration of an aqueous solution. Also, introducing substrate with a carrier gas is 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

148 

expected to result in a much better mixing of the substrate with the groundwater than introducing the 

substrate as a solution. Another advantage is the relatively low costs of injecting gas at great depths. 

Earlier tests indicated that due to the stirring created in the soil by the injected gas (input of energy), 

contaminants are more readily available for biological degradation or physical removal, which is a 

favorable side-effect of the method (Tonnaer et al., 2001). 

Objective. The objective of this research was to demonstrate in a field pilot test that injection of a 

substrate with nitrogen carrier gas is a feasible alternative to the in-situ remediation methods commonly 

applied to remediate CAH. The following aspects of gas injection were investigated: 

• radius of influence and distribution pattern of the injected gas; 

• effects of the injected substrate on the degradation rate of PCE, the original contamination. 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

A pilot scale injection system consisting of a single injection well was installed at a depth of 43 m below 

grade. Figure 1 gives a schematic representation of the pilot setup. A number of nested monitoring wells 

was installed at a distance of 2, 4 and 6 m from the injection well at depths of 14-15 m, 24-25 m, 34-35 m 

and 43-44 m below grade. 

Figure 1: Schematic view of the pilot setup and spatial distribution of biodegradation 

 m 

m 

LINER 

0 m-bgs 

5 m-bgs 

25 m-bgs 

45 m-bgs 

6 

2 

m 

4 

Incomplete dechlorination Full dechlorination 

900 902 903 901 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

149 

Figure 2: LINER pilot test setup 

Figure 2 shows the LINER pilot test setup. Liquid nitrogen is vaporized and the gas pressure is reduced to 

the appropriate injection pressure. Methanol is nebulized into the nitrogen gas flow using nozzles. 

Methanol was used because in several lab studies and field tests at other sites it proved to be a good 

substrate to enhance biodegradation of CAH. During the first 12 weeks of the pilot study, methanol was 

used as substrate. Nitrogen gas was injected daily for 4 minutes per day. About 10 m3

 of nitrogen gas and 

about 1 L methanol was added per injection. 

 

After 12 weeks, the substrate was changed to a mixture of ethyl lactate and methanol (50/50 vol %). Each 

month monitoring wells were sampled and analyzed for CAH, ethene, and ethane. In addition, methanol, 

ethyl lactate and ethanol (ethyl lactate disintegrates into ethanol and lactate) were occasionally analyzed 

at a selection of the monitoring wells. 

 

Before the first substrate injection and after about 30 weeks, sulfate and methane were measured to see 

whether substrate addition affected electron acceptor concentrations. 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Substrate distribution. At the injection location, methanol has been measured in high concentrations, 

ranging from 130 mg/L at a depth of 34 m bgs to 570 mg/L at a depth of 14 m bgs. This vertical 

distribution of methanol indicates the methanol vapor to be sufficiently stable to be distributed by the 

nitrogen gas flow. Also ethyl lactate and ethanol were detected after injection at the location of injection 

over this large range in depth. 

 

No methanol, ethyl lactate, or ethanol, however, were detected in monitoring wells located laterally from 

the injection well. Because of the high detection limit of methanol (2 mg/L), combined with biological 

consumption, methanol may have reached the wells without being detected. Based on substrate 

measurements, no clear distribution pattern of substrate could be observed. 

Stimulated biodegradation of CAH. Since it became obvious that the distribution of substrate could not 

directly be assessed by substrate analyses, analyses of CAH and degradation products were intensified. In 

Liquid nitrogen

Injection well Substrate

Vaporizers
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

150 

Figure 1 the extent to which CAH degradation was stimulated is shown qualitatively. The light color 

represents the area where transformation of the CAH to the end product ethene was accomplished. The 

dark color represents the area where dechlorination was incomplete and stopped at cis-dichloroethylene. 

 

In Figures 3 and 4, results of two monitoring wells are shown that are representative for complete 

degradation to ethane (Figure 4) and incomplete degradation to cis-dichloroethylene (Figure 3). During 

the first 12 weeks no shift in the relative concentrations of the CAH or their degradation products was 

observed in either well and therefore no significant biodegradation occurred. After 12 weeks, another 

substrate was used (mixture of methanol and ethyllactate) and biodegradation clearly started. The total 

concentration of degradation products increased compared to concentrations of PCE, the initial 

compound. It is not clear whether the enhanced biodegradation is a result of switching substrates, or 

whether the end of a lag in microbial growth was reached. 

Figure 3: Absolute concentrations (a) and relative concentrations (b) of PCE and its degradation products 

as a function of time at the location of Injection Well 901 at 14 m bgs. 

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000

0 10 12 18 20 24 30

week

μg/l

Ethane

Ethene

VC

c-DCE

TCE

PCE

(a

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0 10 12 18 20 24 30

week

relative contribution 

(on molar basis)

Ethane

Ethene

VC

c-DCE

TCE

PCE

(b)
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

151 

Figure 3a shows a significant decrease of the PCE concentrations in Monitoring Well 901 (14-15 m bgs). 

The TCE concentration remained about constant, indicating that TCE rapidly was converted to cisdichloroethylene. The degradation seemed to stagnate at cis-dichloroethylene. A possible explanation is 

that there was not enough biomass yet to convert cis-dichloroethylene to vinyl chloride. Figure 3b shows 

the relative contribution of the different compounds to the total molar concentration of ethenes. The 

relative contribution of c-DCE increased significantly while PCE was almost been depleted. 

Figure 4: Absolute concentrations (a) and relative concentrations (b) of PCE and its degradation 

products as a function of time at 4 m distance from Injection Well (monitoring well 903 at 43 m bgs). 

In Monitoring Well 903 at 4 m distance from the injection well and 43 m bgs a significant decrease in 

PCE and TCE concentrations was observed (Figure 4a). PCE was almost depleted and a complete 

transformation to ethane occurred. 

Electron acceptor processes. Before the start of the pilot test, sulfate concentrations ranged from 63 to 

82 mg/L and did not change significantly during the test (30 weeks). Only in well 901 (at the location of 

injection) did sulfate concentrations decrease to about 20 mg/L. Methane concentrations were < 1 mg/L 

before the start of the test and concentrations did not increase. Methanogenesis apparently was not 

stimulated by the addition of the substrates. Because the addition of the substrates resulted in 

chloroethene transformation without significant sulfate reduction and methanogenesis, the lack of 

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

0 10 12 18 20 24 30

week

μg/l

Ethane

Ethene

VC

c-DCE

TCE

PCE

(a)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

0 10 12 18 20 24 30

week

relative contribution

(on molar basis)

Ethane

Ethene

VC

c-DCE

TCE

PCE

(b)
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

152 

substrate, not unfavorable electron acceptor processes, must be the cause of the absence of biological 

degradation under natural circumstances. 

Based on the results of the pilot test, LINER appears to be a promising technique for distribution of 

substrates in the subsurface. At the site of the pilot test a full-scale remediation will be carried out using 

LINER. 

4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The Dutch Soil Research Program (SKB), Philips, the province of Gelderland and the Province of South 

Holland are acknowledged for their financial support. 

5. REFERENCE 

Tonnaer, H., E.C.L. Marnette, P.A. Alphenaar, C.H.J.E. Schuren, K.M.J. van den Brink. 2001. LINERgasinjectie. Een nieuw concept voor de stimulering van de biologische CKW-afbraak. Report nr. SV-080, 

CUR/SKB, Gouda, The Netherlands (in Dutch). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

153 

Project No. 26 

SIREN: Site for Innovative Research on Monitored Natural Attenuation 

Location

United Kingdom 

Project Status

Ongoing 

Contaminants

Organic solvents 

Technology Type

Monitored natural 

attenuation (MNA) 

Project Dates

September, 1999- 

~2003 

Media

Consolidated and non-consolidated aquifer 

Technical Contact

 Theresa Kearney, 

National Groundwater and 

Contaminated Land Centre 

Environment Agency 

Olton Court, 10 Warwick Rd, 

Olton, Solihull, 

West Midlands B92 7HX 

Costs Documented?

Yes 

Project Size

>£1 million 

Results Available?

Yes 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

SIReN is the acronym for the Site for Innovative Research on Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA). 

This project aims to promote the application and understanding of MNA in the UK. The overall aims of 

the project include 1) the identification of a site which could potentially allow the demonstration of 

natural attenuation under UK conditions, and 2) the use of that site for the development of research 

projects studying the fundamental aspects of natural attenuation processes. The SIReN site, once 

characterized, will be open to any bona fide researcher to conduct research on natural attenuation funded 

from other bodies. The project was developed by AEA Technology, Shell, the Environment Agency and 

CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments). In Phase 1 of the programme the 

project team selected a UK site suitable for research into MNA selection. The criteria used for site 

selection included: long term site availability (3-5 years); a suitably complex mixture of contaminants; an 

aquifer characteristic of UK conditions. In Phase 2 of the program a detailed site characterization was/is 

being performed. In addition, three different guidelines for MNA were benchmarked (the UK 

Environment Agency Guidelines (Environment Agency, 2000), the ASTM Standard Guidelines (ASTM, 

1998) and the NICOLE –TNO draft MNA Protocol. Finally, Phase 3 of the project includes management 

of research at the site and dissemination of information gained through said research. Herein, we present 

the results of the site selection (Phase 1), up-to-date site characterization and the results of the 

benchmarking exercise (Phase 2) and the status of the ongoing research at the SIReN site (Phase 3). 

2. BACKGROUND 

Many organic contaminants degrade naturally in the biosphere without the interference of man. The 

biogeochemical processes that recycle organic and inorganic compounds occur naturally on many 

contaminated sites and can be harnessed to mitigate risks to human health and the environment associated 

with the contamination. Monitoring such transformations and modeling their long-term performance can 

be a useful alternative remedial tool. Termed “monitored natural attenuation”, this approach has been 

shown to be effective over a range of sites, especially when compared with more engineered solutions 

(Brady et al., 1997; Wickramanayake and Hinchee, 1998). Although MNA has been demonstrated at a 

range of sites (Thornton et al., 1999; Brady et al., 1997; Begley et al. 1996), there is still a dearth of 

research into MNA in minor sedimentary aquifers and in particular those situated on consolidated 

formations. Such conditions are not uncommon in the UK. 

Assessment of natural attenuation requires knowledge of the in situ contaminant mobility, and the 

biological, chemical and physical decomposition processes of the contaminants. There is growing 

awareness of MNA amongst regulators, problem owners, property developers, future property owners, 

and consultants in the UK; however, a well-documented demonstration of MNA at a complex site will 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

154 

have an important role in improving further understanding of this approach. It is for this reason that the 

SIReN project has been established, with the results of the site selection (Phase 1), an initial site 

characterization and a MNA guideline benchmarking exercise (Phase 2) and the status of ongoing 

research projects (Phase 3) presented herein. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

Natural attenuation is the process by which organic contaminants degrade in the biosphere by natural 

biogeochemical processes such as biodegradation, reduction, hydrolysis, sorption, dilution and dispersion 

(ASTM, 1998). Monitored natural attenuation is the term used to describe the process of monitoring and 

demonstrating such transformations, and modeling long term performance. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Presented below is the analytical approach taken in Phase 1 of project SIReN. To find a suitable 

demonstration site for monitoring natural attenuation, a number of sites were reviewed. Criteria were 

identified to assess the suitability of the sites for Project SIReN. The ideal site should: 

1. Site available for 3-5 years 

2. Biodegradable groundwater plumes 

3. No ongoing remediation process 

4. Good site data available. 

5. Have contamination in a consolidated aquifer 

A site chemical plant located in the North West of England was selected as the site for SIReN. During 

Phase 2 of SIReN, verification of the subsurface conditions and the potential for natural attenuation was 

needed before research could begin in earnest. The data from these analyses are included below. Also 

included in Phase 2 was the benchmarking exercise of 3 MNA guidelines. Finally, research has been 

ongoing at the site over the past 24 months and the research project titles and authors are detailed below. 

5. RESULTS 

Phase 1: Over 200 sites were considered. Of these a site was selected in the north west of England. This 

site was a single owner chemical plant with mixed contaminants including BTEX, chlorinated solvents, 

LNAPL, and DNAPL. The project team agreed that the contamination could be managed successfully by 

monitored natural attenuation (MNA). 

Phase 2: Having chosen the demonstration site for SIReN, verification of the subsurface conditions and 

the potential for natural attenuation was needed before research trials could begin in earnest. Therefore, 

Phase 2 of SIReN involved a detailed site characterization using readily available data. To supplement the 

understanding of the groundwater regime mathematical modeling was also carried out. A report 

summarizing the conceptual understanding of the geology, hydrogeology, and contaminant fate and 

transport is now available (Environment Agency 2001a). 

The site typifies many of the industrially contaminated sites in the UK, in that manufacturing has taken 

place for many years and it is close to major surface water courses. The main aquifer beneath the site is a 

sandstone that is overlain by thick, low permeability glacial clay deposits. This is also typical of northern 

industrial sites in the UK. Four distinct geological strata were identified (layers 1 to 4) during the site 

characterization. There are two (and possibly 3) water bearing units at the site and these are separated by 

a relatively impermeable layer or aquitard. The latter restricts the vertical migration of water and /or 

contaminants to the aquifer below. The groundwater is not used locally for drinking but is a significant 

source of water for irrigation and industrial use. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

155 

There are two contaminant source zones in the ground and evidence that some contamination has reached 

the groundwater. The contaminants are mainly hydrocarbons (predominantly benzene, ethylbenzene, 

toluene and xylene) with some naphthelene, styrene, and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons). The current 

understanding of the contaminant distribution is derived from soil analysis and groundwater samples from 

boreholes. The results suggest that dissolved phase contaminants are migrating within the groundwater 

body in a north north-westerly direction. There is evidence that natural attenuation is occurring within the 

contaminated zone. 

Mathematical modeling was used to predict the fate and transport of the contaminants in the groundwater. 

This shows that the contaminated groundwater plumes are unlikely to extend more than 250 m from the 

source and that they would continue to migrate for approximately 15 years after the contamination 

entered the ground and then stabilize. Eventually natural attenuation processes would cause shrinkage of 

the plumes. Despite having characterized the site successfully a number of questions remain unanswered 

about subsurface flow mechanisms and contaminant migration pathways. To address these a second phase 

of investigation was initiated. This was designed to improve the data set by employing field testing 

methods which include sampling and analysis of newly installed data points. This work is on-going and 

will be reported on in 2002. 

The MNA guideline benchmarking exercise was also carried out during SIReN Phase 2, the details of 

which can be found in an Environment Agency report (Environment Agency, 2001b). Of the three 

Guidelines/protocols included in the study the Agency guidelines were shown to compare well with the 

ASTM and NICOLE-TNO protocols. In part due to the tiered system of lines of evidence, the ASTM 

guidelines proved easiest to apply and were the most transparent. However, the Agency guidelines also 

provided for transparent decision making, did not require application of a model if evidence of MNA was 

considered decisive, and was more defensible than the ASTM system. Moreover, because of the 

requirement for regular regulatory monitoring, the Agency guidelines had the least potential for accidental 

delay and could therefore prove to be more cost effective than the other systems. It should be noted 

however, that the potential for bottlenecks does exist when applying the Agency guidelines. In particular, 

the requirement for regular regulatory involvement in decision making may potentially result in resource 

implications for the regulatory bodies. To offset this, clear procedures should be established for the 

submission of MNA ‘case’ information with clear systems also set up to data review once utilization of 

MNA is agreed. 

Phase 3: As a part of SIReN phase 3, 4 research projects have been ongoing. These are as follows: 

• Predictive modelling of organic contaminant migration at a petrochemical site (Daniel Benitez 

Galvez, MSc Thesis Imperial College London). 

• Application of the Environment Agency MNA guidelines to data from the site (Angela Sheffield MSc 

Thesis, Nottingham) 

• Investigation into methods for speciating Iron in the Groundwater (supervised by Simon Bottrell 

(Leeds); 

• Microbial Ecology: Factors Influencing Natural Attenuation in a Contaminated Sandstone Aquifer 

(Anne Tucker, PhD Thesis, Essex). 

• Results from each of these will shortly be available on the SIReN website 

(www.claire.co.uk/siren/index.htm). 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

The site investigation work was carried out using the best available techniques to minimize the potential 

impacts. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

156 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

The project aims to confirm natural attenuation and therefore will provide evidence of improvements in 

the groundwater quality with time. This will represent a reduction in the environmental impacts. 

8. COSTS 

The overall costs of the project are as follows: 

The total Environment Agency contribution is estimated to be ~£150,000, with £ 25,000 provided for 

Phase 1 and £124,729 in Phase 2. During phase 1, over £1 million worth of site investigation reports were 

reviewed. During Phase 2, in kind contributions from the project team should total ~£120,000. Through 

phase 3, the project team in kind contributions should be ~ £143,000 and are looking to manage ~£1 

million per year in research grants. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Phase 1: During the first phase of the project over 200 sites were considered as possible field locations. 

From these sites, a single owner chemical plant was selected for the SIReN project. 

Phase 2: The site owners have since granted permission for Phase 2 of project SIReN to go ahead, and 

have agreed for the site to be used as a demonstration site for 3-5 years subject to certain conditions of 

confidentiality and safety. Characterization of the SIReN site is underway and the current understanding 

is that there is/are: 

1. 4 different geological layers; 

2. 2 possibly 3 water bearing zones; 

3. 1 aquitard; 

4. groundwater flows towards surface waters (i.e. north and north-west); and 

5. evidence of contamination in the soil and migration into groundwater. 

Phase 2 (MNA benchmarking): The Agency guidelines compared well with both the ASTM and 

NICOLE-TNO protocols. These guidelines have since been applied to the SIReN data by Ms Angela 

Sheffield in her MSc thesis entitled ‘Application of the Environment Agency MNA guidelines to data 

from the SIReN site’. Results of this application will be presented in 2002. 

Phase 3: Four research projects have been, or are being, carried out at the site. Further applications for 

research funding are in process. Preliminary groundwater modeling suggests that the contamination is 

unlikely to migrate beyond 250 m from the source zone and will stabilize in approximately 15 years. This 

site will therefore be available to the research community for at least the next 3-5 years. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Environment Agency 2000 R&D publication 95: Guidance on the Assessment and Monitoring of 

Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in groundwater. 

2. ASTM Standard Guide for remediation of Groundwater by Natural Attenuation at Petroleum release 

sites. American Society for Testing and Materials Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM. 

Philadelphia, PA. 

3. Brady P.V., Brady M. and Borns D.J. (1997) Natural Attenuation: CERCLA, RBCAs and the Future 

of Environmental Remediation. Lewis Publishers, USA 

4. Wickramanayake G.B., and Hinchee R.E. (1998) Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant 

Compounds. Battelle Press, USA. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

157 

5. Thornton S.F., Lerner D.N., and Banwart, S.A. (1999) Natural Attenuation of phenolic compounds in 

a deep sandstone aquifer. In Proceedings of 1999 Bioremediation Conference. Volume 5: pp. 277-

282., Battelle Press, USA. 

6. Begley J., Croft B.C. and Swannell R.P.J. (1996) Current Research into the bioremediation of 

Contaminated Land. Land Contamination & Reclamation 4: 199-208. 

7. Environment Agency 2001a Project SIREN: Phase 2a Conceptual Site Model & Groundwater Model 

Technical report P2-208/TR/2 ISBN 1 85705 6027. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

158 

Project No. 27 

Hydro-biological Controls on Transport and Remediation of 

Organic Pollutants for Contaminated Land 

Location 

Former gas works site, United 

Kingdom 

Project Status 

New project 

Contaminants 

PAHs, phenols, 

substituted benzenes 

Technology Type 

In situ 

bioremediation 

Project Dates 

February 1998 – 

February 2001 

Media 

Soil and groundwater 

Technical Contact 

Prof. Howard Wheater 

Department of Civil & 

Environmental Engineering, 

Imperial College of Science, 

Technology & Medicine, 

London, SW7 2BU 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Not available 

Results Available? 

No 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The research will (a) investigate contaminated soil at a representative former gasworks site and quantify 

the physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics and assess the transport of organic contaminants to 

groundwater; (b) In situ microbial biodegradative activity will be evaluated using reverse transcriptase 

polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques and the potential for enhancement assessed and tested; 

(c) The information on biodegradative activity will be incorporated within a modeling framework, in 

order to predict the long-term impact of current and enhanced in situ bioremediation; and (d) The model 

will be developed as a decision support system to provide guidance for bioremediation design for 

groundwater protection. 

The project objectives are to: 

1. Investigate polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), phenol and aromatic hydrocarbon 

contaminated soil and groundwater at a representative former gas works site and quantify the 

physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics, including spatial and temporal variability. 

2. Assess in situ biodegradative activity in the vadose/unsaturated zone and evaluate potential for 

enhanced bioremediation. 

3. Incorporate the information on biodegradation activity within a modeling framework incorporating 

hydrological and geochemical controls on microbial activity and hence to predict long term impact of 

current and enhanced on-site biodegradation on groundwater. 

4. Develop the model as a decision support tool for assessing the potential for remedial design to reduce 

the risk of groundwater pollution and thereby provide aquifer protection. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The research is focussed on a case study contaminated field site, belonging to BG Property Holdings Ltd. 

The research is laboratory and field-based and directed towards developing field-scale relationships and 

techniques over a period of three years. Extensive site characterisation is being undertaken to a research 

level to define the spatial heterogeneity of the hydrological, geochemical and microbial conditions. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

159 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The research programme focuses on the vadose zone and capillary fringe, and soil-groundwater 

interactions, with respect to behaviour of PAH contaminants typically found on gasworks sites (coal tar 

constituents). It seeks to evaluate transport of organic contaminants in the vadose zone in order to assess 

their impact on groundwater pollution. The programme looks at identifying in situ biodegradation 

processes that may be occurring in the subsurface. We seek to identify and quantify the natural processes 

and rates. A new methodology is being applied to define in situ microbiological activity (see below). 

Natural processes have been identified and the potential and limiting contaminant degradation rates of 

these processes will be estimated and implications for clean up quantified. 

An important aspect of the microbiological analysis is that the actual and potential level of activity can be 

identified. The detailed analysis of site variability is indicating the likely factors limiting microbial 

activity, and the potential for enhanced microbial activity is being investigated through manipulation 

experiments in the laboratory and on site considering, for example, hydrological controls on redox status, 

enhanced oxygen and nutrient supply, and effects of toxicity. Bioventing is being applied in situ. 

To represent the interdependence of hydrological, chemical and biological controls on microbiological 

degradation of contaminants, a numerical model of unsaturated zone flow and transport processes is being 

developed at Imperial College. This provides a vehicle for data assimilation and analysis. The model will 

be used to assess the effects on groundwater pollution through bioremediation. This will provide both a 

decision support system for remediation options and a tool for presenting assessment options to 

regulators. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

To define the hydrological fluxes, in situ soil and groundwater conditions, and soil and groundwater 

hydraulic properties, conventional borehole cone penetrometry techniques, piezometer and geophysical 

techniques are being used (including EM39 borehole logging and electrical resistance tomography) in 

conjunction with pumping tests. This is supplemented by specialist soil monitoring equipment 

(tensiometers, neutron probe, in situ permeametry, air permeametry and O2/CO2 respirometry probes). 

The spatial location and chemistry of contamination will be investigated in detail using conventional 

methods of core analysis from boreholes and trial pits, with detailed analysis of soil water, groundwater, 

non-aqueous phase contaminants and soil and aquifer geochemistry. 

A major focus of the programme is to determine the intrinsic bioremediation. The majority of bioactivity 

assessment methods employed to date have been based on the measurement of microbial metabolism 

(e.g., dehydrogenase activity or adenylate concentration), which is not related to specific catabolic 

functions, or 14C-mineralisation assays, which are conducted ex-situ and represent catabolic potential 

rather than in situ activity. Recently, methods have been developed at King’s College for monitoring 

specific in situ catabolic gene expression using direct isolation of mRNA from contaminated soils. King’s 

College has also successfully developed the reserve transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 

technique for the quantification of specific mRNAs from environmental samples. Hence a novel bioassay 

system will be applied to cores from the site. 

Following initial site characterisation, appropriate locations and substrates will be defined for a series on 

on-site manipulation experiments to investigate the potential for enhanced degradation. Previous work by 

Smith and Bell (Pieltain 1995) has demonstrated complex effects of PAH mobility in the hydrological 

environment which can affect redox status and bioavailability. Depending on site conditions, hydrological 

and chemical controls will be investigated in addition to manipulation of oxygen and nutrient status. 

Possible field trials will include addition of moisture and nutrients via an infiltration system, oxygenation 

by passive venting (bioventing), or oxygen release compound systems, or more active means such as airsparging, or by addition of hydrogen peroxide. Effects of toxicity of co-contaminants will be considered. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

160 

5. RESULTS 

The effects of biodegradation will be incorporated in a modeling framework. An underlying deterministic 

model will be developed, based on the SPW and SLT codes developed at Imperial College (Karavokyris, 

Butler and Wheater, 1990, Butler and Wheater, 1990), which represent soil-plant water interactions. A 

biochemical model component will be introduced to simulated effects of microbial degradation in 

response to nutrient, moisture and oxygen availability, and coupled with soil water and gas flow models 

to provide time-dependent degradation rates, and transport of soluble waste products. A framework for 

the analysis of uncertainty in soil contaminant transport models has recently been developed at Imperial 

College in collaboration with Prof.G.Dagan (Tel Aviv). This will be extended to include effects of 

heterogeneity in microbial processes through 1-D stochastic simulations. The model will be applied to the 

interpretation and generalisation of the site-specific data. The effects of quantified biodegradation rates on 

in situ biodegradation will be examined in the context of climatological, hydrological and geochemical 

controls and evaluated in comparison with site data. The results of the detailed modeling will be 

incorporated in a simpler, rule-based procedure to provide a management tool to evaluate site 

management options, and to produce long-term response within a framework of risk management. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

A health and safety programme has been developed for the fieldwork component of the project. 

 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

No significant environmental impacts of the project have been identified. 

8. COSTS 

The cost of the project is estimated to be $605,000 over three years. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

The anticipated outcomes of the project are as follows: 

• Assist in the development of an effective on site remedial treatment of typical gas works 

contaminants. 

• Develop a better understanding of the underlying processes of bioremediation at field scale and the 

effects of the physical and chemical heterogeneity associated with disused industrial sites and made 

ground. 

• Design tools to translate the knowledge learnt into practical techniques for site characterisation and 

application. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Butler, A.P. and Wheater (1990) Model sensitivity studies of radionuclide uptake in cropped 

lysimeters. Nirex Safety Series report NSS/R253, UK Nirex Ltd. 

2. Karavokyris, I., Butler, A.P., and Wheater, H.S. (1990) The development and validation of a coupled 

soil-plant-water model (SPWI). Nirex Safety Series report NSS/R225, UK Nirex Ltd. 

3. Pieltain, F.J.M. (1995) The effect of different rainfall regimes and drainage conditions on the mobility 

of PAHs from soil contaminated with coal tar. Ph.D. thesis, University of London.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

161 

Project No. 28 

Demonstration of a Jet Washing System for Remediation of Contaminated Land 

Location 

Former refinery site, Southern 

England 

Project Status 

New Project 

Contaminants 

Tars, petroleum 

hydrocarbons. 

Technology Type 

Ex situ soil washing 

Project Dates 

August 2000 – 

September 2000 

Media 

Soil and made ground 

Technical Contact 

Tony Wakefield 

Wakefield House 

Little Casterton Rd 

Stamford 

Lincolnshire 

PE9 1BE 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Demonstration 

Results Available? 

No 

Project 28 was completed in 2000. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

This project will demonstrate the application of an ex situ process-technology to the remediation of soil 

and other solid wastes that are contaminated with organic residues at a former refinery site. The 

demonstration will take place over a six-week period in August-September 2000 during which time over 

500 tonnes of material will be processed. In addition to the refinery wastes, the project will also include 

the processing of materials from gasworks reclamation and materials from other oil industry sources. 

The project is supported by exSite, a registered environmental body that uses funding from the UK 

landfill tax scheme to facilitate a research programme focusing on brownfield land regeneration. The 

work is being carried out Eurotec Land Remediation Ltd. 

2. BACKGROUND 

This project aims to demonstrate the successful transfer of technology from the mining industry to the 

remediation of land affected by contamination. Jet pump technology has been used by the mining industry 

for a number of years as a means of high capacity materials handling over long distances. It is particularly 

suitable for dealing with sand, gravel and soil, using water as the carrying medium. The heart of the 

process is a self-priming pump with no moving parts. It can handle 120 tonnes of material per hour with 

minimal operational maintenance. A feature of the jet pump, in its original application, is its relative 

inefficiency in imparting ordered energy to the material that is pumped. This characteristic has been 

exploited in the development of the jet pump scrubber that will be demonstrated by this project. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The heart of the scrubber is a jet pump. A jet pump accepts fluid energy rather than energy supplied via a 

rotating shaft. It has no moving parts. It operates by a process of transfer of energy by shearing forces, a 

turbulent process in which spinning cells of fluid interact between the incoming and the motive fluids. 

The process is inefficient at pumping because the greater part of the energy input is lost to turbulent 

dissipation. However, the reverse is true for a scrubber because of the cleaning action of the turbulence. 

In addition to the turbulence the scrubber also cleans particles by: 

Direct contact between solid particles. Where particles are small in comparison with the diameter of a 

turbulence cell they are forcibly rubbed together. 

Cavitation. By raising the driving pressure in the pump, the turbulence cells spin so fast that the 

associated centrifugal force causes such a vacuum at the centre of the cell that the water boils. As these 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

162 

“Bubbles” collapse. A violent dissipation of energy occurs, helping to breakdown the binding between 

contaminant and solid particle. 

In operating the scrubber it is possible to create an intensity of energy dissipation of up to 20MW/m3. The 

pressure and temperature of the scrubber can be carefully controlled to optimise performance. The 

scrubber uses water as its carrier medium. 

The scrubber has been used to separate surface contaminants from solid particles including the removal of 

adherent clays and iron oxide from quarry product and the removal of crude oil from contaminated beach 

sands. This demonstration will evaluate its effectiveness for separating contaminated tar and oils from 

excavated soil and made ground. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

No details are currently available. 

5. RESULTS 

No details are currently available. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

No details are currently available. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

No significant environmental impacts of the project have been identified. 

8. COSTS 

The cost of the project is estimated to be £100,000 for the trial. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

No details are currently available. 

10. REFERENCES 

None. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

163 

Project No. 29 

Automatic Data Acquisition and Monitoring System for Management of Polluted Sites 

Location 

Italy 

Project Status 

In progress 

Contaminants 

TPH, BTEX 

Technology Type 

Remote monitoring 

Project Dates 

Start: January 1998 

End: February 2001 

Media 

Groundwater, soil, air 

Technical Contact

Dr. Gilberto Latini 

Dr. Claudio Mariotti 

Dr. Armando Sechi 

Dr. Leonardo ZAN 

AQUATER S.p.A. 

Via Miralbello 53 

61047 S.Lorenzo in Campo 

(PS) 

Italy 

Tel: (+39) 0721 7311 

E-mail: 

leonardo.zan@aquater.eni.it 

armando.sechi@aquater.eni.it

Costs Documented? 

Not yet available 

Project Size 

Prototype 

Results Available? 

Yes 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

This project deals with an automatic remote and on-site environmental monitoring system designed and 

implemented to control remediation processes in sites contaminated by petroleum and its by-products 

(other compounds can also be monitored). The monitoring system is PC based (such as a remote station), 

and doesn’t require any further PC running on site to control the remediation process and data acquisition, 

but only sensors to acquire data on the parameter/process to be monitored. An AD converter with internal 

processor coupled with modems (analogue, radio or GSM) monitors and automatically transmits data to 

any number of remote stations, as required by the user. 

The system is based on National Instruments hardware running LabView software. 

Process and monitoring data are stored on site and sent to the remote station on demand or at any desired 

frequency. 

On-site alarms (out-of-range values, failures etc.) are automatically activated by the system and the alarm 

log can be received in the form of a SMS. 

SMS can also be sent to the on-site station to activate any further instructions. 

Data and process parameters can be automatically transmitted to an IP and published on a Web site, 

which can be accessed only by providing the user’s name and password. 

This project represents the state-of-the-art of a remote monitoring system. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The project started as a preliminary monitoring network developed under RESCOPP (Remediation of Soil 

Contaminated by Petroleum Products – P# EU-813), as a cooperation between Italian and French 

companies under the EU EUREKA Funding program during the years 1993-1997. Since then the project 

has been financed by the Research Funding Program of ENI (Italian Oil Company) 

The project focused on developing innovative tools for monitoring remediation processes on sites 

polluted by petroleum products. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

164 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

Control Process Parameters: 

To monitor a remediation process it is essential to have knowledge on environmental media (components) 

and their interactions with water and pollutants. This means that the process is first developed on a 

theoretical basis, and then the monitoring system is implemented according to the results achieved. 

Monitoring sensors are then placed where the process develops. Data bases linked to the system provide 

logs of events and the history of the monitoring activity. The minimum set of parameters to be verified in 

petroleum-polluted sites consists of: 

Interstitial Gas 

VOCs 

CO2

O2

CH4

Pressure 

Soil in the Vadose Zone 

Temperature 

Humidity 

Groundwater 

Water level 

Temperature 

pH 

Eh 

Elec. Conductivity 

Dissolved O2

TPH 

BTEX 

Total heterotrophs 

It might also be necessary to monitor the meteorological parameters that affect data evolution during all 

the processes involved in remediation. 

These parameters are: 

Temperature 

Barometric pressure 

Humidity 

Solar radiation 

Wind speed and direction 

Rainfall 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Measuring principles 

The sensors connected to the monitoring system must assure that all data are measured with the same 

accuracy and validity as those measured in the laboratory. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

165 

System architecture 

The system is composed of: 

1. Sensors 

2. AD converters with inner processor units 

3. Software 

4. HW (PC Pentium based) 

5. Data transmission network (analogue, GSM or radio modem) 

6. Monitoring wells 

7. Measuring gauges 

8. Analytical equipment for gas and water sampling 

5. RESULTS 

The system was installed in the Porto Marghera contaminated site (Venice, Italy) to test its effectiveness 

in monitoring and automatically managing a biopile process. 

As the system is still a prototype, it only collects data referring to: 

1. Hydrocarbons 

2. Temperature 

3. Humidity 

4. Dissolved oxygen 

The system is on-line since February 2001 and all collected data can be seen on Aquater’s Website 

(www.aquater.eni.it/). 

Another groundwater monitoring test has been carried out at Aquater’s headquarters. 

It consists in a groundwater source (monitoring well) activated by a local unit. The parameters of the 

pumped water (T, pH, DO, EC, and Eh) are measured by sensors. If the local unit reads an out-of-range 

parameter it activates a water sampler which collects and stores a sample or set of samples. The system 

also transmits a warning message (SMS) reporting the out-of-range parameter to the designated operator. 

This monitoring system prototype meets the expectations required at this date. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

The system is totally safe as it avoids any handling of polluted water or soil. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

The aim of the project is to reduce the number of laboratory analyses and water–soil samples to a 

minimum, while increasing the capacity to monitor any type of remediation process from virtually 

anywhere in the world (no matter where the local station is located). 

8. COSTS 

The total cost of the project can be forecasted in 1 Million Euro (approximately 1.2 Million US $), 50% 

of which is required for the purchase of special sensors. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

166 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Based on the amount of data collectable by this system and thanks to the drastic reduction of laboratory 

analyses and site visits, it can be concluded that the system is very inexpensive and extremely costeffective. 

The alarm system prevents any loss of data for the final user. 

The system is ready for use and enables continuous monitoring on any contaminated site. The monitoring 

activity can also be considered a long-term validation test following site remediation. 

10. REFERENCE 

RESCOPP project report (EUREKA Eu-813) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

167 

Project No. 30 

Approved Biological Treatment Technologies for the Sustainable Cleanup of 

TNT-Contaminated Soil 

Location 

Clausthal-Zellerfeld, 

Germany 

Project Status 

Interim 

Contaminants 

TNT 

Technology Type 

Three different soil 

bioremediation 

technologies 

Technical Contact 

Dr. Jochen Michels 

Project Dates Media 

Soil 

DECHEMA e.V. 

Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25 

60486 Frankfurt/Main 

Germany 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

Field-scale 

Results Available? 

Soon 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The aim of the Joint Project "True to Scale Test of Biological Processes at the Former Ammunition Site 

'Werk Tanne' with Assessment" is the evaluation and comparison of three on-site bioremediation 

procedures for TNT contaminated soil under field conditions with regard to efficiency, ecology and 

economy. The decontaminated soil material has been characterized by innovative analytical strategies to 

assess the ability of repositioning decontaminated soil heaps. The Joint Project is part of the Joint 

Research Group "Processes for the Bioremediation of Soil". This interdisciplinary group is developing 

innovative processes for soil bioremediation. It is logically divided into three columns of research: 

process development, backup research, and true to scale testing. The findings will be incorporated in the 

Handbook "Processes for the Bioremediation of Soil", which will be released in Oct. 2001. It is intended 

to assist the authorities and problem owners to find and select promising clean-up processes, thus 

contributing to the reusability of economically attractive sites. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The former ammunition site "Werk Tanne" near the city Clausthal-Zellerfeld in the Harz Mountains was 

one of the twenty former TNT production sites in Germany. With a monthly production capacity of 

2,850 t TNT it was the fifth largest explosives production site of the third Reich. The site was built into a 

forested area of 119 ha and had two TNT production lanes. In contrast to other sites in Germany like 

"Stadtallendorf", "Hirschhagen" or "Krümmel", after World War II the area was not converted to an 

industrial site or a residential quarter. From 1992 the abandoned site was used for different approaches in 

the biological remediation of TNT-contaminated soil. From 1998 the Joint Project "True to Scale Test of 

Biological Processes at the former ammunition site 'Werk Tanne' with Assessment" has successfully 

tested three different biological remediation technologies in field scale. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

A test area was prepared on the site for the three different remediation installations, including two tents 

and one building, safety areas regarding to safety of labor and safety of emission. The IndustrieanlagenBetriebsgesellschaft (IABG) takes over the central project management for the tasks of the site 

coordination, the scientific attendance and the planning for the required construction works. The site 

coordination ensures comparable conditions with regard to the treatments and the success evaluation. 

These conditions are (i) comparable soils and contamination; (ii) comparable analysis and documentation; 

(iii) comparable control soils and site conditions. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

168 

At different areas on the site "Werk Tanne" soil are taken and sieved to 60 mm. The soil was mixed 

frequently to ensure a homogeneous TNT contamination of 1,000 to 1,200 mg/kg soil (dm) throughout 

the pile before it was given to the soil treatment companies. The involved companies and procedures are: 

Anaerobic/Aerobic Composting Process 

 The process by Umweltschutz Nord was originally developed by Bioremediation Inc. For the 

anaerobic/aerobic composting process the contaminated soil material was mixed with easy utilizable 

substrates to maintain anaerobic conditions and deposited into a pile. During the treatment term of about 

12 weeks the soil pile was moved every 1 to 2 days in the beginning and only once a week afterwards. 

While the substrate was depleted during the treatment the pile shifted continuously from anaerobic to 

aerobic conditions. Transformation of the pollutants and immobilization of the transformation products 

occurred simultaneously during the entire process term. During two years four different batches of about 

80 metric tons were treated. The initial concentrations of approx. 1,000 mg nitroaromatics per kg soil 

were rapidly reduced within 7 days. The concentration was durable below the detection limit of 0.5 mg/kg 

within three weeks. The maturing process to degrade the organic aggregates was concluded after 12 

weeks. In cooperation with the involved authorities the decontaminated soil could be released on site. 

Dynamic Pile Process 

The dynamic pile process by Plambeck ContraCon is an anaerobic/aerobic treatment process with two 

distinct stages. The process was developed by the University of Marburg, Germany. During the anaerobic 

stage, which was maintained by easy utilizable substrates, TNT was transformed to reduced metabolites. 

The pile was static during the anaerobic stage, but after the switch to aerobic conditions the heap was 

aerated and the soil material was treated mechanically for the remaining term of about 12 weeks. The 

point of time to switch the conditions is dependent on the reduction stage of the nitroaromatics and occurs 

usually after half of the task. During the aerobic phase the reduction products were irreversibly bound to 

the soil organic matrix. During two years four different batches of about 32 metric tons were treated. The 

nitroaromatics were rapidly reduced to the corresponding amino(nitro-)aromic compounds during the 

anaerobic stage. After maintaining aerobic conditions the concentration of amino(nitro-)aromic 

compounds felt into the range of the detection limit. The refilling of the material on site was also 

permitted by the authorities. 

White Rot Fungi Process 

White rot fungi were cultivated in large amounts on straw and then were piled up in alternating layers 

with the contaminated soil material. During the static and aerobic soil treatment process by AWIA 

Umwelt the fungi proliferated through the soil matter and destructed the nitroaromatics with the aid of its 

extracellular enzyme system. Four different white rot and litter decaying fungi have been tested with 30 

metric tons of contaminated soil material each. The process term was about a year; after 12 weeks the soil 

was mixed once and the straw/fungi substrate was renewed. A watering and aeration system was installed 

for maintenance humidity, nutrient supplementation, and aeration of the soil material in order to help the 

fungi to predominate over the soil-specific microflora for optimal detoxification. The aeration of the soil 

was carried out by an exhauster, which removed surplus water as well. Exhausted air and effluent were 

decontaminated afterwards. Especially in the final phase of decontamination, the concentration of harmful 

substances in the soil was minimized by addition of fresh cultures of the fungus. The TNT initial 

concentration of about 2.000 mg/kg (dm) could be reduced to 50 mg/kg soil material (dm). The refilling 

of the material on site was also permitted by the authorities. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

169 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

A special scientific concept has been developed by IABG in cooperation with the authorities for the 

evaluation of the soil material and the processes. This includes the following test systems: 

• Chemical analysis of nitroaromatics and known metabolites (incl. new described polar metabolites) 

• Genotoxicological analysis (Ames-test) 

• Ecotoxicological analysis (aquatic: Luminescent Bacteria (DIN); terrestric: Potential Nitrification 

(Swedish EPA), soil respiration (Swedish EPA), acute growth of higher plants (ISO), acute earth 

worm test (ISO)) 

• Physico-chemical soil characterization (pH, Corg, Nutrients, Soil Constituents) 

• Human toxicological analysis 

• Air monitoring 

The backup research of the Joint Research Group had developed extended test systems for the 

ecotoxicological potential of the processed soil material using test batteries, humification process by 

NMR-spectroscopy with [15N]TNT, and long-term stability using [14C]TNT under simulated climatic 

worst case conditions. 

5. RESULTS 

The soil material could successfully been decontaminated by all three remediation processes and the 

material could be refilled on site. This was the first time that biologically decontaminated TNT-soil could 

be repositioned in Germany. The ecotoxicological tests showed no ecotoxicological hazard potential left 

in the soil material and the finished tests to the long-term behavior could show no remobilization of toxic 

metabolites. The results from the NMR-spectroscopy showed that TNT-metabolites are bound covalent to 

the soil organic matter and that they were further destructed due to the humification process. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Different test systems were conducted according to the safety rules of labor: 

• Biological material 

• Air-monitoring (mononitrotoluenes, Germ pollution) 

• Human toxicological test (TNT metabolites in urine, hemoglobine adducts) 

 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Not available yet 

8. COSTS 

The individual process costs were calculated and appeared to be comparable to standard biological 

treatment costs of TPH-contaminated soil in Germany. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Biological remediation of TNT-contaminated soil is now an approved process in the meaning of 

sustainability. TNT metabolites will be humificated in the soil and destructed further in a way that no 

hidden hazardous potential will be left in the soil material. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

170 

10. REFERENCE 

Michels, J, Track, T, Gehrke, U., and Sell, D. (Fachredaktion), Umweltbundesamt (Herausgeber). 2001. 

Biologische Verfahren zur Bodensanierung. Grün-weiße Reihe des BMBF (only available in German 

language).
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

171 

Project No. 31 

Phytoremediation Evaluation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Surface Soil 

Location 

13 sites in US and Canada 

Project Status 

Ongoing 

Contaminants 

Petroleum, PAHs 

Technology Type 

Plant enhanced 

bioremediation 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2000 2001 

Media 

Soil 

Technical Contact 

Steve Rock 

National Risk Management 

Research Laboratory 

26 W. Martin Luther King Dr 

Cincinnati, OH 45268 

Tel: 513-569-7149 

Fax: 513-569-7879 

E-mail: rock.steven@epa.gov 

Costs Documented? 

Installation and startup costs recorded 

Project Size 

3- to 4-year field-scale 

test plots 

Results Available? 

Yes, preliminary 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) cooperative trials are designed to test the 

ability of plants to enhance degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in surface soils. There are now 

thirteen field trial locations with two new sites in Canada. Results in progress are now available for six 

locations. As would be expected there is variation among the locations in the responses developing among 

the vegetation treatments. Two locations have statistically significant responses that indicate enhanced 

degradation in vegetated plots. One location is showing a promising trend. Treatment mean differences 

are not apparent yet in two locations. The ability to detect treatment differences appears to be related to 

the degree of prior weathering of the contaminants, the spatial variability of the contaminant at the sites, 

and perhaps the time needed for treatment effects to become apparent. It appears for less weathered 

contaminants, phytoremediation effects will become apparent within a couple growing seasons. It remains 

to be determined how plants will affect remediation on highly weathered sites. 

Several lines of evidence, including microbial data may be helpful for indicating the presence of 

degrading organisms. The role of phytoremediation may ultimately be determined by a combination of 

the degree of weathering, the time available for treatment, and the determination of acceptable endpoints 

for remediation based on risk assessments and future site uses. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The TPH Subgroup of the RTDF, Phytoremediation Action Team initiated these trials to test the use of 

vegetation to enhance treatment of surface soils contaminated with weathered petroleum hydrocarbons. 

Collaborators include PERF (Petroleum Environmental Research Forum), USEPA, Environment Canada, 

the U.S. Department of Defense, major petroleum and energy corporations, environmental consultants, 

and university participants. The TPH Subgroup began meeting in March 1998 to develop a standard 

protocol for conducting cooperative field trials. Features of the protocol specify common procedures for 

each trial covering vegetation treatments, experimental design, analytical parameters, analytical 

laboratories, and data analysis. The RTDF protocol, initial site descriptions, and annual reports are 

available at http://www.rtdf.org. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

The purpose of the project is to determine efficacy of agricultural and non-crop plants for degradation of 

aged petroleum hydrocarbons in soil at multiple locations and under varied climatic conditions. The 

standard plot size is 20' x 20' minimum, although the shape of the plots varies widely. There are four 

replications of each treatment. The statistical design is a randomized complete block (place plots based on 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

172 

presence of TPHs in site characterization. For soil and plant samples, take 8 random sample cores per plot 

and make a composite sample. The three standard treatments are as follows: 

• Local optimized treatment: grass, mix of species, including trees 

• Unplanted and unfertilized control (kept weed-free by post-emergent herbicide, hand-picking of 

weeds, or tilling). 

• Standard Mixture of rye 10-15% (annual or perennial), legume 20-25% (alfalfa, clover, birds-foot 

trefoil), and fescue 60-70% (varieties chosen for local conditions). 

Over the course of the trial, vegetated plots should be fertilized with nitrogen and phosphorus at the rate 

corresponding to the carbon to nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 50:2:1. Additional fertilizer can be added 

to account for plant uptake requirements. All vegetated plots should be fertilized at the same rates. The 

rate of fertilization should be divided into several applications to minimize adverse effects on plant 

growth due to excess nitrogen. Accurate records should be maintained on rates of fertilization and how it 

is applied. After considerable discussion it was decided that the unvegetated treatment should not be 

fertilized so that the vegetation treatments are compared with a control that represents no treatment. This 

trial will not attempt to separate the effects of plants from the effect of fertilizer. Participants are 

encouraged to include an unvegetated and fertilized control treatment if space and resources permit. 

Soil sampling: Eight random sub-samples per plot composited make one sample. Cores will be taken at 0 

to 6” and 6” to 12". Take soil samples as described at the following times and soil depths sampling 

location at the following times: 

T=I: Initial site characterization (after tilling) samples taken in grid over whole site. 

T=0: Before planting, after seedbed preparation. 

T=1: 6 months after planting, or end of first growing season. 

T=2: 18 months after planting, or end of second growing season. 

T=3: 30 months after planting, or end of third growing season. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

• Agronomic conditions: pH, salinity, available nutrients, and soil analysis (texture, organic matter, EC, 

CEC, soil type). The analyses should be tailored to the region. 

• Contaminant concentrations: PAHs using EPA method with GC, TPH using DCM solvent, TPH 

fractions using TPHCWG method. 

• Microbial analysis (times 0 and 3 for plate counting and MPN, times 0, 1, 2, and 3 for PLFA and 

DGGE analysis). 

5. RESULTS 

Site A in California is located at an oil refinery. Data is available from samples taken at planting and the 

end of the first and second growing seasons. The analysis of variance and inspection of treatment means 

for Site A show no clear differences or trends among the treatments at either of the sampled soil depths. 

Large differences among the four replications and high variability in the data may be obscuring most 

treatment effects at this stage in the trial. The hydrocarbons at Site A are highly weathered. Our 

hypothesis concerning this site is that given the weathered nature of the hydrocarbons in the surface soils, 

it is going to be difficult to detect clear evidence of biodegradation. 

Site B in Ohio is located on a former landfarm. The depth of soil sampling was changed between the 

initial Time 0 sampling and what has been called a second Time 0b sampling. Based on a new starting 

reference time, results are available after one growing season. The surface soil samples showed a general 

decline in concentrations from T0b to T1 although treatment means were not significantly different. There 

is an indication that all of the vegetated treatments declined in concentration more than the unvegetated 

control plots. This may indicate that treatment effects are developing. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

173 

Site F in New York is a former manufactured gas plant site. Analytical results are available from samples 

taken at planting and the end of the first and second growing seasons. The surface soil at Site F showed 

consistent declines in concentration of TPH and PAHs from Time 0 to Time 1 and from Time 1 to Time 

2. By Time 2, there were statistically significant differences between the control plots and the 

willow/poplar plot for TPH and PAHs. All vegetated treatments had lower concentrations than the control 

plots for TPH and PAHs. There are a number of positive trends at Site F that may show an advantage of 

vegetation treatments given enough time. The less weathered surface soil may have more potential for 

further degradation than the deeper soil. 

Site G in Kansas is utilizing sediments excavated from a motor pool waste lagoon. Analytical data is 

available from sampling at planting and at the end of the first growing season. After one year similar 

patterns were observed at the two soil depths. TPH concentrations began the trial in the range of 11000 to 

16000 mg/kg and decreased to 5000 to 7000 mg/kg after one year. Concentrations of TPH and PAHs in 

the unvegetated control treatment decreased less than the vegetated treatments. Biomarker normalized 

data showed better statistical separation of the treatment means than the original TPH concentrations. 

Compared to the other RTDF sites, Site G showed the clearest response to the vegetation treatment after 

one growing season. 

Site J in Arkansas is located at an oil production site. Only characterization data from the time of planting 

was available. Most of the contamination at this site is in the top 15 cm. PAH concentrations were lower 

at this site than the other RTDF sites. TPH concentrations were in the range of 10000 to 13500 mg/kg in 

the surface soil. The apparent low degree of weathering at this site may indicate a high potential for 

biodegradation. 

Site K in Indiana is located at a former manufactured gas plant site. The contaminants are coal tar 

residues that extend from the soil surface to greater than 180 cm below ground. Hybrid poplars were 

planted as the single vegetation treatment. Soil was sampled to greater depths than the other field sites. 

Analytical results for priority pollutant PAHs are available from the time of planting and the end of the 

first two growing seasons. Based on the data received, there is no clear trend showing that PAHs are 

degrading in the vegetated treatments after two years. 

Observable evidence of degradation is probably obscured by high variability among the plots with PAH 

concentrations ranging over an order of magnitude. Based on the data normalized to a high molecular 

weight PAH, there may be an indication that PAH levels are decreasing. Although trees have grown well 

at the site, a longer period of time may be needed to establish an effect of vegetation treatments at this 

location since treatment is desired in deeper soil than at the other field sites. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

No information available. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

No information available. 

8. COSTS 

Phytoremediation-specific unit costs have been summarized for the first year at each of the field sites. The 

total startup costs ranged from $16,854 to $62,174 for the six sites. The operation and maintenance costs 

for the first year of the study ranged from $16,500 to $30,400. The total project costs for the first year 

ranged from $38,392 to $86,278. The calculated unit costs for the first year of the study ranged from 

$4.00 to$10.37/ft3. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

174 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

Considered as a group, it appears some field sites will show significantly enhanced hydrocarbon 

degradation with vegetation treatments while other field sites may not show enhanced treatment during 

the time of the trials. Differences between field sites may be related to differences in hydrocarbon 

composition and weathering. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

175 

Project No. 32 

Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents in Groundwater by Chemical Reduction 

Using Zero-Valent Iron, Pneumatic Fracturing, and Reagent Atomization 

Location 

Marshall Space Flight Center 

Project Status 

Monitoring/Inject 

Contaminants 

Trichloroethene 

Technology Type 

Chemical reduction 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2001 

Final Report 

Media 

Low permeability clayey residuum 

Technical Contact 

Amy Keith 

Building 4200, Room 436 

MSFC, AL 35812 

Tel: 256-544-7434 

Fax: 256-544-8259 

E-mail: 

amy.keith@msfc.nasa.gov 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size Results Available? 

Yes 

The information in this project summary is current as of January 2003. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is located in northern Alabama within Redstone Arsenal 

(RSA). MSFC was listed with RSA on the National Priorities List on May 31, 1994. Past solvent 

management practices during the 1960 era of rocket engine testing at MSFC resulted in groundwater 

contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) beneath MSFC. Five major plumes 

with fourteen main contaminant source areas (SAs) have been identified at the facility. Source areas are 

those areas that have elevated concentrations of CVOCs in soil and groundwater that may act as the 

continuing source of contamination in the downgradient groundwater. MSFC is pilot testing in-situ 

technologies to identify the effective remedial technologies approaches for remediating the source areas. 

SA-2 and SA-12 were chosen for testing in-situ chemical reduction technology using pneumatic 

fracturing and the Liquid Atomized Injection (LAI) injection process for delivery of a zero-valent iron 

(ZVI) slurry (Ferox) to subsurface target zones. The results from these and other on-going or planned 

in-situ pilot tests (chemical oxidation, dynamic underground stripping, enhanced bioremediation, and 

phytoremediation) will be used to complete a CERCLA feasibility study for the groundwater medium 

at MSFC. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The subsurface beneath the area consists of a low-permeability clayey residuum overlaying karst bedrock. 

The majority of the contaminants are believed to lie within the basal layer of the residuum, called the 

rubble zone, that transitions into the underlying bedrock. The residuum groundwater, which is naturally 

aerobic, moves mostly in a lateral manner through the rubble zone to wetlands and springs downgradient. 

The degree of hydraulic connection between the rubble zone and the bedrock is variable throughout the 

site. Due to the complex hydrogeology of the site, only a few remediation technologies are expected to be 

effective at MSFC. After screening available technologies, in-situ chemical reduction was chosen for 

pilot-scale tests to treat dissolved trichloroethene (TCE) conditions in groundwater. SA-2 and SA-12 were 

identified for implementation of the in-situ chemical reduction treatability studies. The MSFC team 

included CH2M HILL as the prime contractor and ARS Technologies, Inc. (ARS) as their specialty 

technology subcontractor. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

Chemical reduction using ZVI reduces TCE by reductive dechlorination where hydrogen ions are 

liberated by the corrosion of iron in water. TCE uptakes the hydrogen ion and releases a chloride ion, 

ultimately reducing TCE to dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and ethene. The release of chloride ions can be 

monitored to measure the progress of the reaction process. The low-permeability residuum severely limits 

the amount and distribution of fluids that can be delivered. Pneumatically fracturing the residuum and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

176 

atomizing the chemical reagents to be injected delivers increased quantities of the ZVI slurry and more 

evenly distributes the slurry within the matrix contamination. ARS uses nitrogen gas for fracturing and as 

an inert carrier during Ferox injections, and incorporates a Liquid Atomized Injection (LAI) process to 

deliver fluids into the subsurface. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

At SA-2, because of the presence of unexploded ordnance, the entire area with the highest levels of 

groundwater contamination could not be treated with the ZVI injections. To address the inaccessible 

areas, a downgradient treatment zone was created through overlapping injections, forming a permeable 

reactive zone to treat migrating untreated groundwater. 

At SA-12, a 10-foot by 50-foot treatment cell was demarcated within the area of highest groundwater 

contamination. Subsurface intervals within the cell were pneumatically fractured and the ZVI slurry was 

injected into the reactive treatment zones to treat the highest contaminant concentrations (subsurface and 

groundwater media). The injection process allowed the ZVI placement to occur without damage to 

numerous subsurface utilities and structures in the highly industrialized area. DNAPL-like concentrations 

(about 500 mg/L) of TCE were unexpectedly encountered at a location within SA-12 after the field test 

implementation had begun. 

5. RESULTS 

At SA-2, 11,000 lbs of ZVI were injected achieving an iron-to-TCE weight ratio of 200:1. Follow-up 

sampling showed iron impregnation of the subsurface matrix. Pressure readings and field measurements 

for iron during Ferox injection indicated that the radius of influence ranged from 20 to 60 feet. 

Groundwater conditions were changed from an aerobic, non-reducing state to anaerobic, reducing 

conditions. TCE concentrations were reduced from 72,800 ppb to 3,400 ppb (over 95% reduction) over 

the initial fourteen months. Monitoring continues and further reductions are expected. 

At SA-12, 4,500 lbs of ZVI were injected achieving an iron-to-TCE weight ratio of 100:1. At SA-12 

similar radii of influence and geochemical effects on groundwater conditions were observed as those at 

SA-2. Some reduction in TCE groundwater concentrations were observed initially, but the concentrations 

rebounded and remained fairly constant throughout most of the groundwater performance monitoring 

period. The low iron-to-TCE weight ratio and the lack of TCE degradation is attributed to the postimplementation discovery of the DNAPL-like TCE conditions. Supplemental bench-scale tests indicate 

that these types of conditions could be treated using ZVI and the effectiveness of additional injections at 

SA-12 is being considered. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

All field work is performed under a Health and Safety Plan to address all pilot study activities. All 

workers review the HSP before work begins at the site and it is maintained on site during activities. Each 

subcontractor must provide a HSP specific to the work they do. The plan includes project-specific 

physical hazards, project-specific chemical hazards, and emergency procedures. All personnel were 

HAZWOPER trained. The in-situ pilot tests have been implemented safely and without incidents, and the 

field implementation phases passed all internal health and safety audits. 

 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

Injection of ZVI into groundwater may change the pH, the dissolved oxygen, and the oxidation reduction 

potential (ORP) levels, and increase iron concentrations, within a localized area. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

177 

8. COSTS 

The total cost for completing the SA-2 tasks listed below was approximately $300,000, incurred between 

1999 and 2001: 

• Work planning 

• Soil and groundwater sampling 

• Bench-scale testing and report 

• Utility surveys and video-logging 

• Fracturing and ZVI injections (including mobilization and demobilization) 

• Royalty fees (related to pneumatic fracturing, patented by the New Jersey Institute of Technology) 

• Development of field documentation report 

• Technical support and project management 

The amount of ZVI injected into the subsurface beneath SA-2 was 11,000 pounds. Therefore, the cost to 

implement the pilot test per pound of ZVI injected was $27.26, based on the total cost value. The actual 

field implementation portion of the test was approximately 70 percent of the total cost which corresponds 

to $19.06 per pound of ZVI injected. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

In-situ chemical reduction using the Ferox ZVI process is an effective method for treating dissolved 

phase TCE in groundwater, where DNAPL-like concentrations are not present. The use of ZVI for 

treating DNAPL or DNAPL-like conditions is a possibility, based on bench-scale results. The selective 

injection method is useful for treating areas with limited accessibility and ARS’ LAI process, combined 

with pneumatic fracturing, is effective for delivering and distributing ZVI slurry in low-permeability 

media. Results at SA-12 also show that ZVI can treat Freon contamination in groundwater. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Marshall Space Flight Center. Summary (Draft): In-Situ Chemical Reduction Pilot Test Results for 

Source Area 2. Prepared in consultation with CH2M HILL and ARS Technologies. September 2001. 

2. Marshall Space Flight Center. Summary (Draft): In-Situ Chemical Reduction Pilot Test Results for 

Source Area 12. Prepared in consultation with CH2M HILL and ARS Technologies. September 2001. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

178 

Project No. 33 

Chemical Oxidation and Natural Attenuation at the Camden County Landfill 

Location 

Camden County, Georgia 

Project Status 

First source area 

complete. 

Contaminants 

Chlorinated ethenes 

Technology Type 

Chemical oxidation 

and natural 

attenuation 

Project Dates 

Accepted 2001 

Final Report 

 

Media 

Groundwater 

Technical Contact 

Clifton C. Casey 

South DIV Naval Facilities 

Engineering Command 

Tel: 843-820-5561 

Fax: 843-820-7465 

E-mail: 

caseycc@efdsouth.navfac.navy.mil 

Costs Documented? 

Yes 

Project Size 

120 ft x 40 ft 

Results Available? 

Yes 

Project 33 was completed in 2002. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

In-situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) and natural attenuation was used to reduce the source of a plume of 

chlorinated hydrocarbons and its residual concentrations in groundwater to meet regulatory cleanup goals. 

The strategy for this remedial action was to incorporate an aggressive approach to reducing the mass of 

contamination in the source area aquifer sediments followed by natural attenuation of the residual 

contamination in groundwater. The cleanup objective was to protect a nearby residential community from 

the plume of contamination that was moving offsite and meet state and federal regulatory cleanup goals 

for groundwater. 

2. BACKGROUND 

The site is a 25-acre municipal landfill that was operated by the County during the mid 1970’s to 1980. A 

variety of wastes from the community and the Naval Base Kings Bay were disposed in the landfill. 

Wastes were disposed by the trench method wherein trenches were dug, backfilled with waste, and 

covered with fill. In the early 1990’s, a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) identified groundwater 

contamination at the perimeter of the landfill. A perchloroethene (PCE) plume was determined to be 

migrating towards a subdivision located several hundred yards from the landfill. As an interim measure, 

the Navy installed extraction wells to hydraulically contain the plume at the perimeter of the landfill 

(Casey and Beregren, 1999). 

Results of additional site investigations, determined that the PCE source was approximately 120 feet long 

by 40 feet wide in the 30 to 40 foot horizon below ground surface. In addition, PCE degradation products 

including trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2 dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride (VC), were detected 

in the groundwater. Total chlorinated aliphatic compounds (CACs), the sum of PCE and its degradation 

products TCE, DCE, and VC, were detected at concentrations of more than 9000 micrograms per liter 

(μg/L) in the groundwater within the landfill source area. PCE concentrations were as much as 5 percent 

of the pure phase solubility phase, therefore, the presence of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) 

was inferred. 

An evaluation (Chapelle and Bradley, 1998) of the attenuation capacity of the aquifer determined that the 

plume was readily degrading naturally as it moved away from the source area. The geochemistry of the 

site indicated that the source area was sulfate reducing and the downgradient plume was an iron-reducing 

environment. These environments allowed for the highly chlorinated compounds such as PCE and TCE to 

be readily degraded to DCE and VC. The iron reducing environment downgradient was more ideally 

suited for the lower chlorinated compounds that can be anaerobically oxidized under these environments 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

179 

(Bradley and Chapelle, 1996, Bradley and Chapelle, 1998). Modeling results indicated that if the 

concentrations of total CACs were reduced to 100 μg/L, natural attenuation would address the residual 

contamination, achieving compliance levels in the groundwater plume prior to reaching the 

facility’s boundaries. 

The cleanup approach incorporated the use of aggressive source reduction using chemical oxidation, 

followed by natural attenuation to degrade the residual concentrations in groundwater. Forty-four carbon 

steel injection points were located in and around the source of contamination. Injection of Fentons 

Reagent occurred in two zones starting on November 2, 1998. The primary treatment occurred in the 

source area and a follow-up treatment took place within 25 feet downgradient. The injections were 

completed on July 15, 1999. 

3. TECHNICAL CONCEPT 

In-Situ Chemical Oxidation using Fentons Reagent method was selected as the technology for source 

reduction. The process involved injecting a 50% solution of hydrogen peroxide with ferrous sulfate as a 

catalyst. Hydroxyl radicals formed by the reaction of the peroxide and catalyst are powerful, non-specific 

oxidants. Complete mineralization of the contaminants is assumed to occur within a few minutes. The 

final products of the reaction between the hydroxyl radicals and the contaminants are carbon dioxide, 

water and chloride. 

Biotransformation at this site occurs primarily by a process of reductive dechlorination in the source area. 

This occurs due to indigenous microorganisms at the site that mediate an oxidation reduction reaction to 

obtain energy and growth. In this reaction, the chlorinated solvent acts as an electron acceptor, and a 

chlorine atom on the molecule is replaced with a hydrogen atom. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) from 

the landfill serves as the electron donor to drive the reaction. After chemical oxidation of the source area, 

the dissolved organic matter is replenished by upgradient DOM that moves into the treated zone. 

4. ANALYTICAL APPROACH 

Pre and post-injection characterization of monitoring and injection wells included analyses for volatile 

organic compounds. Carbon dioxide gas was analyzed during injection of the reagent to determine 

completeness of the oxidation. 

The natural attenuation evaluation included analyses of dissolved oxygen, ferrous iron, sulfate, hydrogen 

sulfide, nitrate, nitrite, and molecular hydrogen as well as volatile organic compounds. 

5. RESULTS 

After two treatment phases of injections, the CACs in groundwater were reduced from approximately 

9000 ppb to less than 100 ppb. These concentrations have remained below this value since completion of 

injections. The state of Georgia Department of Natural Resources nominated the project for the State 

Chamber of Commerce Environmental Excellence Award for which it won. 

6. HEALTH AND SAFETY 

During injection, the treatment area was secured such that only operation personnel were allowed onsite. 

7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 

None 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

180 

8. COSTS 

The direct cost for ISCO was approximately $250,000. This costs does not include installation of 

monitoring or injection points nor pre or post-injection monitoring. The natural attenuation evaluation 

cost was $100,000. 

9. CONCLUSIONS 

After two years of treatment in the initial source area, the groundwater concentrations have remained 

below the 100 ppb total CAC target level. Downgradient the residual concentrations of the plume have 

continued to drop due to natural attenuation and are expected to completely degrade within five years. 

10. REFERENCES 

1. Casey, C. and C. Beregen, C. 1999. Chemical Oxidation, Natural Attenuation drafted in Navy 

Cleanup, Pollution Engineering, March 1999 Supplement. 

2. Bradley, P. M. and F.H. Chapelle. 1996. Anaerobic mineralization of vinyl chloride in Fe (III)-

reducing, aquifer sediments. Environmental Science and Technology 30-2084-2086. 

3. Bradley, P.M., and F.H. Chapelle. 1998. Microbial mineralization of VC and DCE under different 

terminal electron accepting conditions. Anaerobe. 4:81-87. 

4. Chapelle, F.H. and P.M. Bradley. 1998. Selecting remediation goals by assessing the natural 

attenuation capacity of ground-water systems. Bioremediation Journal 2:227-238.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

181 

COUNTRY TOUR DE TABLE PRESENTATIONS 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

182 

ARMENIA 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2001. 

1. BACKGROUND 

Twelve tail storages have been constructed in the Republic of Armenia at different years that accumulate 

some 300 M cubic meters of wastes from mining industry. Waste composition is conditioned by mineral 

combination of paragenetic minerals. 

Existing economic situation in Armenia within the recent years prevents set-up of full control over the tail 

storages. Being complex hydrotechnical facilities tail storages are representing a permanent hazard and 

appear to be a reason for a calamity. 

Due to the impact the natural and climatic conditions content of tail storages (mainly metals) is 

weathered, transferred and spread to the adjacent areas by causing irreversible impact on human health, 

environment, including fauna and flora and resulting in activation of desertification processes. 

From this viewpoint conserved tail storages of Geghanush in the province of Syunik, and the tail storage 

of Akhtala in the province of Lori are mostly hazardous. These tail storages are located on densely 

populated and developed farming areas and cause huge damage to the environment and human vital 

activity by simultaneously contributing to desertification of lands exclusion of them from the lands of 

farming and other value. 

The need to protect the tail storages proceeds from not only the fact, that it is necessary to minimize and 

neutralize their harmful impact on the environment and human health, but also from rational use of 

natural resources, since the latter contain big quantities of useful and rare metals that represent a material 

value and their use might contribute to the country's development. However, these tail storages are not reprocessed due to a lack and high cost of adequate technologies. The tail storages (see Table 2) as objects 

of hazardous hydrotechnical calamity by their impact on the environment and human health are classified 

based on the following factors and effects: 

Table 1: Classification of Tail Storages Based on Harmful Factors and Effects 

# Harmful factors and effects Grading unit (point) 

1. Volume 1-3 

2. Number of population in the affected zone 1-5 

3. Lands located in the affected zone (quality, class) 1-5 

4. Operated 1-2 

5. Conserved 1-4 

6. Facility construction formferro-concrete 1 

7. Land dam 2 

8. Content of hazardous substances, elements %1m2 1-5 

9. Content of useful metals %1m2 1-5 

10. Level of dispersion 1-2 

11. Possibility to conduct measures to prevent hazardous impact 1-5 

 

According to the mentioned indicators classification of tail storages as the highest risk centres are referred 

to in Table 3. 

 

The storages of Geghanush in the province of Syunik and the storage of Akhtala in the province of 

Tavush are selected as storages representing high risk and requiring primary preventive works to be 

prepared and implemented. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

183 

Selection of these tail storages is conditioned by the following criteria: 

1. The tail storages of Geghanush and Akhtala are located in densely populated areas. Towns of Kapan, 

Shamlugh, Akhtala, a number of villages and settlements are located within its affected zone. 

2. Desertification processes have been activated within the affected zone of the tail storages of 

Geghanush and Akhtala, which has been resulted in total extinction of plants and continuation of land 

alienation phenomenon. 

3. Geological conditions of establishing and formation of the Kapan copper and Shamlugh copper multimetallic deposit, as well as content of harmful components in the Geghanush and Akhtala tail 

storages caused by technological failure of ore material re-processing, which exceeds by 8-10 times 

the indicators of the rest of the tail storages. 

4. High percentage of useful metal content conditioned by the prerequisites mentioned in item 3, which 

should protected for the economic development in the country. 

5. The geographic location and natural-and-climatic conditions of the Geghanush and Akhtala tail 

storages could contribute to the wash-up and dispersion of the tail storages, while in the case of a 

collapse the animal kingdom of Vokhchi and Debed Rivers would be extinct. 

6. Further operation of the Geghanush tail storage is prohibited given the fact, that drainage-system 

facilities located in the tail storage to secure removal of stormwater are under high pressure and 

additional accumulations on the currently conserved galleries would result in an accident by causing 

great damage to the environment, to the residential houses in the town of Kapan and commercial 

facilities. 

7. Operation of the Akhtala tail storage is possible only in the case if the drainage-system canal is 

reconstructed. 

2. MEASURES AIMED AT MITIGATION AND NEUTRALIZATION OF HARMFUL IMPACT 

OF THE TAIL STORAGES 

In order to minimize hazardous impact of the tail storages generated due to the mining industry 

production activity it is necessary to conduct recovery and reclamation of the storage surfaces. 

A tail storage or slurry field of each non-ferrous metallurgy-concentrating mill are former landscapes, 

which appeared to be under a layer of toxic substratum of chemical substances. Meanwhile, production 

wastes are fully eliminating natural fertile lands and fruitful biocenosis and new neo-landscapes of 

technological origin that lost their original economic and social values are spontaneously generated that 

leads to desertification. 

 

All the prerequisites generate a necessity to conduct land reclamation, which includes a number of 

engineering, reclamation and biological measures to set-up fruitful land-and-plant landscapes. 

In order to mitigate and neutralize harmful impact of the conserved tail storage of Geghanush in the 

province of Lori and tail storage of Akhtala in the province of Tavush it is necessary: 

 

1. To arrange and carry out a periodical wetting system for tail storage surfaces layers and to sow 

perennial plants. 

2. For that purpose it is necessary to select a method for artificial raining of the whole tail storage area. 

Water used for artificial raining could be procured both by gravity and pumping methods. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

184 

3. To cover (encircle) the whole surface of the tail storage by a liquid of polyacrylamide. The advantage 

of this method is, that polyacrylamide is gradually being hydrolysed by generating polycrylacidic 

ammoniac brine, which changes the structure of land surface layer by strengthening it and 

simultaneously remaining transparent for air and water and creating favourable enough conditions for 

regular growth of plants. 

4. As a temporary measure to strengthen the tail storages surface land layer by means of special machine 

equipment to prevent shift of surface land layer under wind impact. 

5. To reconstruct and repair drainage-system facilities surrounding the tail storages in order to prevent 

transportation of wastes from the Geghanush and Akhtala tail storages to other areas through river 

waters and generation of new desertification centres. 

6. To cover the tail storage surface by a 10-15 cm-thick land layer and sow perennial grass plants. 

Financial-and-economic calculations and cost estimation for the implementation of mitigation and 

neutralization measures of harmful impact of the tail storage of Geghanush in the province of Syunik and 

tail storage of Akhtala in the province of Lori should be refined by a competent designing organization 

taking into account peculiarities of local natural-and-climatic conditions, location of tail storages, 

availability and quantity of surface waters, feasibility studies of invested measures, etc. 

The measure of covering the tail storage by a 10-15 cm-thick land layer is not observed by the financial 

and economic calculation, since it requires large-scale land works that would deteriorate the landscape 

natural balance. 

In order to prevent harmful impact of the tail storages on the environment it is considered reasonable to 

input combined measures with the following essence. 

The tail storages surface is preliminary processed by polyacrylamide. Then a wetting system for the 

surface land layer is constructed and afterwards perennial plants are sown. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

185 

Table 2: Classification of Tail Storages Located on the RoA Territory

# Tail storage title and 

location 

Year of 

putting 

into 

operation 

Year of 

conservation 

Volume 

M m3

Particles 

average 

diameter 

Waste 

content 

1. Right-bank tributary to 

Vokhchi River, Village of 

Darazam 

1953 1961 3 0.067 

2. Right-bank tributary to 

Vokhchi River, Village of 

Pkhrut 

1958 1969 3.3 -"- 

3. On Vokhchi River 1962 1977 30 -"- Mo 

4. On Artsvanik River 1978 Working 210 -"- Cu 

5. On Geghanush River 1961 1989 4.6 0.084 SiO2

6. On Davazam River 1957 1977 30 0.087 Al2O3

7. In gorge No. 1 of Agarak 1978 Working 9 -"- MgO 

CaO 

8. In gorge No. 2 of Agarak 1979 Working 17 -"- TiO2 

FeO 

9. In gorge No. 3 of Agarak Na2+K2

O 

P2O5

10. On Nahatak River nearby 

settlement of Akhtala 

1971 1988 3.2 0.082 S 

Zn 

Pb 

11. Nearby Village of Arazap 

(Province of Ararat) 

1982 Working 20 0.085 

rare 

metals 

12. On the right-bank of a 

tributary to the Nazik 

River nearby Settlement 

of Dastakert 

1960 1968 3.1 -"- 
Table 3: Assessment of Hazardous Impact of the Tail Storages

Tail storage title and geographic 

location 

____________________ 

Characteristics (point) 

Right-bank tributary to Vokhchi 

River, Village of Darazam 

Right-bank tributary to Vokhchi 

River, Village of Pkhrut 

On Vokhchi River 

On Artsvanik River 

On Geghanush River 

On Davazam River 

In gorge No. 1 of Agarak 

In gorge No. 2 of Agarak 

On Nahatak River nearby 

Settlement of Akhtala 

Volume 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 Population in the impact zone 2 2 2 2 5 1 1 2 5 Lands in the impact zone 2 2 2 4 5 2 2 2 4 Working, non-working 3 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 3 Form of facility 1 2 2 1 4 2 1 1 4 Availability of hazardous substances 

2 2 3 3 5 2 2 2 5 

Availability of useful metals 2 2 3 3 5 2 3 3 4 Dispersion rate 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 Possibility to conduct measures to prevent harmful impact 

2 2 3 1 5 2 1 1 4 

Total 17 18 20 20 34 15 13 15 3Degree of hazard 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 3 1 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

187 

AUSTRIA 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002. 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

Austria has had a Federal Act for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites (ALSAG) since 1989. The main 

focus of this act is to provide federal funds for the clean-up of the most dangerous contaminated sites in 

the country. The fund is created through a tax on landfilling. The amount of waste tax depends on the 

technical standard of the landfill. Hence, landfills with a low standard have to be either adapted to the 

high standard defined in the Landfill Ordinance, or closed by 2004 the intake of waste tax will decrease. 

At present, the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management 

(BMLFUW) is working on an amendment on ALSAG which will regulate the waste tax intake on a new 

basis. Additionally, the current and future use of the site should play a more important role when 

remediation goals are defined and the polluter-pays-principle will be strengthened in the amendment. 

In order to support sound decision making, the Austrian Standards Institute has published a standard on 

“Contaminated Sites – Risk Assessment Concerning the Pollution of Soil” in spring 2000 and has started 

to work on a standard on “Contaminated Sites – Risk Assessment Concerning the Pollution of Soil-Air.” 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

The BMLFUW registered 2.499 suspected sites. So far, the major part relates to abandoned landfill sites 

because their data and registration are easily available. Detailed risk assessments showed that 148 sites 

pose a considerable risk to human health or the environment and therefore were classified as 

contaminated sites. 

Currently, the work of identification of potentially contaminated sites focuses on industrial sites in Upper 

and Lower Austria. 

Remediation projects for registered contaminated sites are funded via the Kommunalkredit Austria AG on 

behalf of the Federal Ministry BMLFUW. So far, 110 remediation projects, with a total cost of EURO 

340 mio. (approximately 200 mio. US$) were funded. 

3. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

In 2001, the BMLFUW issued a concept on research priorities to tackle contaminated land problems in 

Austria. Currently, an initiation of a Center of Competence is under development which will guide and 

co-ordinate future research activities. All these initiatives will stimulate technology development in 

Austria. 

4. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

“Safeguarding” Methods: Number

capping of landfill 29 

extraction of landfill gas 11 

enclosure 32 

hydraulic measures 38 

pump and treat 20 

in-situ sorting of material 9 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

188

Remediation Methods: Number:

excavation off site 24 

groundwater remediation 11 

soil vapor extraction/bioventing 18 

bioremediation 2 

soil washing 4 

thermal treatment 4 

biological treatment 4 

immobilisation 4 

5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

The Austrian Environment Agency has been the coordinator of the EU Concerted Action CLARINET 

(1998-2001). This project has been one of the main R&D initiatives on contaminated sites in Europe. 

Further information can be obtained from the CLARINET website at http://www.clarinet.at.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

189

BELGIUM 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

A. Background Information

The Belgian Constitution dividing the authority between the Federal State and the Regions, confers the 

responsibility of environment protection policy almost exclusively to the three Regions: Flanders, 

Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region, with very limited exceptions. 

This means that there cannot be such thing as a federal legislation on soil protection, nor any federal 

strategy in this matter. As long as Europe does not enforce a common framework to all Members States, 

the three Regions are free to legislate or not, in this issue, according to their own policy, the requirements 

of their citizens, and the constraints of their economy. 

However, contacts have been initiated in 2001 between the three Regions in order to see to what extent 

the three soil policies (the Flemish one, already enforceable, and the two others, in preparation) could be 

harmonized. These works have led to a first draft report where common norms (trigger values/clean up 

values) for groundwater are proposed. 

B. Summary of Legislation 

Until now, only Flanders has adopted a full legislative framework for contaminated sites. The main 

characteristics of the Flemish Decree on Soil Remediation, adopted in 1995 and brought into force in 

different stages, were presented in previous NATO/CCMS Pilot Study meetings. Its guiding principles are 

the registration of all contaminated or suspected sites, the distinction between duty and liability, and the 

distinction between historical and new soil contamination. 

Soil remediation standards and background levels have been adopted by the Flemish Government. The 

soil remediation standards depend on future land use. Exposure scenarios have been defined for four land 

use classes (agricultural, residential, recreational and industrial). Plus nature areas, requiring a separate 

approach. 

There is also a list of activities which could create soil pollution, and need to be investigated by transfer 

of property or closing of activity. 

In Wallonia, the present legislation is based on a Waste Decree and on Town and Country Planning 

provisions. In addition, Wallonia has the oldest legislation in Belgium – and one of the oldest in Europe – 

dealing specifically with brownfield issues: the Act of 1978 on the restoration of disused economic sites, 

amended in 1997 and included in the Walloon Planning Code. 

In Brussels-Capital Region, a global legislative ordinance on soil remediation is still lacking, but soil 

and groundwater investigations and remediation can be asked for in some cases, based on the ordinance 

on environmental permits and the ordinance on the enforcement and prosecution of environmental 

criminal acts. 

Since 1999, Brussels and Wallonia have also adopted special regulations for gas stations: these include 

control measures (soil and groundwater) and remediation procedures, according to soil standards and 

intervention values in relation with the land uses authorized in the surrounding area. Those regulations 

apply to all kind of situations: closing establishment, new establishment, license renewal or transfer, 

suspicion of pollution, etc. In addition, they impose a strict calendar for the control and eventual 

renovation of all existing gas stations. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

190

Subsequently, a principle agreement between the three Regions, the oil companies and the Federal 

Government has been adopted, providing for the creation of a common Fund for the remediation of gas 

stations. The Fund will be financed on equal basis by the oil companies and the consumers, through a 

special levy. 

Last but not least, the Walloon Government has launched a Strategic Programme for Contaminated Soils 

and Brownfield Sites, including the preparation of a comprehensive Soil Decree. This programme, which 

started in 2000, should be presented to the Walloon Parliament for a first lecture by the end of this year, 

after hearings involving all public and private stakeholders. 

During the present transitory period, special measures will enhance the rhythm of brownfield sites 

reclamation, provide new means for a thorough updating of existing inventories of derelict and 

brownfield sites, and for preliminary investigations of these sites. 

C. Administrative Aspects 

For institutional reasons (see § 1.a), there is no Federal Agency for the Environment: 

• In the Flemish Region, OVAM (Public Waste Agency of Flanders) is the responsible authority for 

soil control and remediation. 

• In Brussels-Capital Region, the responsible authority is the Brussels Institute for 

• Environmental Management. 

• In Wallonia, as long as no decree on soil remediation has been passed, responsibilities are shared 

between various bodies: the Walloon Waste Office is the responsible authority for landfills and other 

polluted sites, according to the Waste Decree; the Town and Country Planning Administration is 

responsible for derelict land and brownfield sites. 

The transitory measures adopted by the Walloon Government enhance the role of SPAQuE (the Public 

Society for the Quality of Environment) in the whole procedure, from inventory to remediation and 

aftercare; SPAQuE will also be in charge of the preliminary investigations of sites listed in the new 

inventory. 

“Clean” or very slightly polluted sites will then be redeveloped under the authority of the Town and 

Country Planning Administration, while contaminated sites will be transferred to SPAQuE, for thorough 

characterization and subsequent reclamation on the basis of the Waste Decree. 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

Flanders:

According to the legislation, a soil register has been created by OVAM in 1996. The Flemish authorities 

proceed with a systematic examination of potentially polluted areas mainly on three occasions: 

• at the time of property transfer; 

• at the closure of licensed installations; and 

• whenever the license has to be renewed. 

According to OVAM’s Remediation Service (situation mid 2001), the descriptive investigations already 

carried out result in approximately 3000 lots of ground where a soil remediation project is needed 

(amongst these, 624 remediation plans are approved, and cleanup is going on or finished on 308 sites). 

All information on soil pollution is compiled in the soil register, which serves as a data base for policy 

decisions and also as an instrument to protect and inform potential land purchasers. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

191

A "soil certificate" is requested for all sorts of property transfers. This system has increased the number of 

voluntary investigations, and sometimes induces voluntary remediations, in order to avoid to be listed as 

contaminated in the register. 

Wallonia: 

A registration system has existed since 1978, based on the special brownfield legislation and aiming at the 

redevelopment of those sites. It takes into account more than 2.000 sites, covering 9.000 hectares of 

derelict land. The transitory measures (see § 1.b) have allowed not only to implement a general updating 

of this registration procedure, but also to enlarge its scope and provide new means for the investigations. 

These will rely on the hazard ranking system “Auditsol”, developed by SPAQuE . 

For the sites polluted by waste, the Walloon Waste Office holds an additional list of sites for which a 

remediation plan should be prepared, has been approved, or is into execution (more than 900 sites 

registered today). 

Brussels Region: 

The Region is currently setting up an inventory of all polluted sites. Results are expected by the end of 

September 2002. The conclusions will be used to develop a strategy for soil remediation in the Brussels 

region. 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

Until recently, there have been no comprehensive statistics on remedial methods and technologies used 

for clean-up in Belgium. The following soil and groundwater remediation techniques are available and 

used: 

• Excavation and transport of contaminated material to a deposit site and/or processing of the 

contaminated soil. 

• Hydrodynamic methods, by means of drains, water remediation, processing of slurry, etc. 

• Use of degassing systems. 

• Use of isolation techniques (horizontal and vertical isolation by means of cement, clay, bentonite, 

bitumen, etc.) 

• Immobilization techniques by means of cement, lime, absorption methods for oil, etc. 

• Remediation technologies: microbiological remediation, in-situ and ex-situ (landfarming, biopiles, 

etc.), water and chemical extraction, flotation, thermal treatment, steam-stripping, a combination of 

physico-chemical (soil washing and fractionation) and biological remediation techniques, electroreclamation, infiltration and wash out, Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs), chemical oxidation. 

4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

For soils contaminated with heavy metals and metalloids, the following remedial techniques are in 

research and/or anticipated for use in the coming years: 

1. In-situ immobilisation by means of soil additives. 

2. Bio-extraction of heavy metals by means of micro-organisms in a slurry-reactor. 

3. Phyto-extraction by means of plants with increased capacities of metal-accumulation. 

4. In-situ bioprecipitation of heavy metals by sulfate reducing bacteria. 

More generally, there is a great need and expectation for low-energy, cost-effective remedial 

technologies. Research is progressing in the Universities and Public research Institutes, mainly in 

microbiology and phytoremediation areas, although no comprehensive evaluation is yet available. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

192

VITO (The Flemish Applied Research Institute) is currently engaged in the following R&D activities: 

1. Inorganic reactive barriers (zero valent iron): treatability studies, material selection, circumventing 

clogging, protocol development for design, installation and monitoring, quick screening test for 

zerovalent iron quality, slow screening test for zerovalent iron efficiency testing; 

2. Biological permeable reactive barriers and permeable barriers for mixed pollutions (Multibarriers); 

3. Circumventing bio-availability limitations for bioremediation of PAH and mineral oil; 

4. Developing protocols for monitoring of natural attenuation, in-situ bioremediation and pump & treat 

remediation as well as field monitoring for these technologies; 

5. Phytoremediation; 

6. Bioremediation of TNT; 

7. BTEX-biodegradation (autotrophic conditions); 

8. Biodegradation in NAPLs; 

9. Remediaton of gasmanufacturing plants (PAHs, heterocyclic compounds, cyanides etc); 

10. MTBE biodegradation by using ORCs; 

11. TCE biodegradation by using HRCs; 

12. BTEX biodegradation by using ORCs; 

13. Influence of compost on biodegradation processes and chemical analysis; 

14. Sorption barriers for heavy metals; 

15. In situ redox manipulation; 

16. Oil characterisation methods; 

17. Biodegradation of VOCLs; 

18. Chemical oxidation tests; 

19. Natural attenuation and in situ microcosms; and 

20. Natural attenuation at the interface (groundwater – surface water) 

5. CONCLUSIONS 

There has been recently a growing recognition of soil and groundwater contamination issues in Belgium. 

In the Flemish Region, the implementation of the Soil Decree has a highly positive influence on soil 

management and soil environmental quality. Forthcoming months will show new developments in 

Wallonia, and maybe in Brussels. 

The problems we are tackling now are: 

• the lack of ressources of many liable parties, for the cleanup of historical pollution; 

• the need to improve the cost-efficiency and environmental merit of the remediation programs, 

whether funded by public or private money ; and 

• the difficulty in matching stringent soil regulations with the necessity of redeveloping brownfield 

sites, in a sustainable land use strategy. 

 

This last point might become, in the near future, the most difficult issue to cope with. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

193

CANADA 

Please Note: The following provides an update of the Tour de Table presented on Canada’s contaminated 

land activities at the meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany (Annual Report 2000 Number 244). Unless 

otherwise stated, the reader should assume that information is unchanged from the 2000 Report. 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

Protection of lands and water in Canada are generally covered under one or more of the three federal Acts 

namely the Fisheries Act1

, renewed Canadian Environmental Protection Act 2 1999 and Canadian 

Environmental Assessment Act3

. Most of Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories have established their 

own statute or regulations with guidelines, policy or other criteria specific to contaminated sites 

management. A policy framework for federal contaminated sites is nearing completion. It will comprise a 

suite of policies, best practice advisories, and references to ensure that departments take a sound 

environmental stewardship approach to federal real property and to ensure that federal contaminated sites 

are managed in a consistent and systematic manner while recognizing the principle of risk management. 

Federal responsibility for contaminated sites is acquired through the direct actions and operations of the 

government, or ownership of sites contaminated by others, and through other obligations such as 

Aboriginal Land Claims. There is a concern that the federal government’s potential litigation costs related 

to this issue is increasing. There is also a growing recognition that conventional mechanisms for resolving 

disputes, such as litigation are not ideal for managing contaminated site issues. Other approaches such as 

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) are currently being investigated as an option for encouraging 

participatory resolution to these issues. 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES

A complete inventory of contaminated sites in Canada does not exist. The number, however, is likely in 

the neighborhood of 23,000 with an associated remediation cost of around $16 billion. 60% of these sites 

are believed to be contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons and over 10% are believed to fall under the 

sub-set known as Brownfield’s. The federal government is currently compiling an inventory of 

contaminated sites for which it is responsible as well as an estimate of its associated liability. In 1996, the 

Auditor General of Canada estimated that there 5,000 such sites with an estimated liability of $2B. This 

number, however, is now thought to be overestimated. Current spending on federal contaminated sites 

averages $Can 120M per year. 

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME)4

The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment is the major intergovernmental forum in Canada 

for discussion and joint action on environmental issues of national and international concern. It comprises 

environment ministers from the federal, provincial and territorial governments. 

In October 1989, the CCME initiated a five-year, $250M (50% federal) National Contaminated Sites 

Remediation Program. Although this program resulted in the remediation of several sites and the 

development of many tools and guidelines that are still in use today, the health and environmental risks 

associated with contaminated sites remains a priority to Canadians. Documentation related to many of 

these tools and other publications related to contaminated sites can be found on the CCME website4

. The 

following is a list the more commonly used documents: 

1. National Classification for System (NCS) - A method for evaluating contaminated sites according to 

their current potential adverse impact on human health and the environment. The system was 

developed to establish a rational and scientifically defensible method for comparable assessment of 

contaminated sites across Canada. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

194

2. National Guidelines for Decommissioning Industrial Sites - A logical step-by-step approach to 

develop decommissioning and cleanup guidelines that are compatible with the intended land use 

future land use by eliminating human health concerns and mitigating environmental effects. 

3. Guidance Manual for Developing Site-specific Soil Quality Remediation Objectives for 

Contaminated Sites in Canada - Recommended specific procedures for deriving remediation 

objectives for soil using the guideline-based approach. These recommendations include procedures 

for evaluating the applicability of the generic guidelines to individual contaminated sites and for 

modifying these guidelines to account for atypical or unique site characteristics. 

4. Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines (updated 2001) - Science-based goals for the quality of 

atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems. They are national benchmarks or indicators of 

environmental quality and are normally used as a trigger to indicate that further investigation is 

required at a site. Although these guidelines are nationally endorsed and generally applied to federal 

contaminated site, provincial and territorial jurisdictions may have their own assessment tools (e.g. 

criteria, guidelines, objectives and standards), which may be implemented within their respective 

jurisdictions. 

Canada-Wide Standard for Petroleum Hydrocarbons In Soil5

Petroleum Hydrocarbons (PHC) is one of six priority substances addressed under the Canada-wide 

Standards (CWS) sub-agreement of the 1998 Federal-Provincial Harmonization Accord of the CCME. On 

May 1, 2001, all jurisdictions except Quebec endorsed the CWS for Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil. 

Although Quebec did not sign the agreement that led to the standards, it shall remain committed to act 

within its area of jurisdiction in a manner consistent with the standard. The PHC-CWS sets out the 

national levels to which soil must be cleaned when sites contaminated by fuels or lubricants are subject to 

remediation. 

Brownfields 

Brownfields are commonly known in Canada as “idle or underused properties where past activities have 

caused environmental contamination but which nevertheless provide economically viable business 

opportunities”. These sites are mainly located in established urban areas, where existing municipal 

services are readily available, or along transportation corridors. Interest in the redevelopment of 

Brownfield’s in Canada is increasing at all levels, specifically in large urban areas such as Toronto, 

Montreal and Quebec City. The provinces of Ontario and Quebec have been particularly active in this 

area for the past few years with Ontario’s recent regulation and Quebec’s redevelopment initiatives and 

the Montreal Centre of Excellence for Brownfield’s Restoration (MCEBR). The National Roundtable on 

the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), an independent advisory body on promoting sustainable 

development, with members appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada, has also been actively raising 

the profile of this issue. The Roundtable is currently leading the development of a national strategy for 

Brownfields in Canada, which is expected to be released in the fall 2002. 

Orphaned /Abandoned Mines Sites 

The negative health and environmental impacts caused by orphaned/abandoned mine sites is increasingly 

becoming a concern in Canada. In September 2001, the Mines Ministers agreed to a series of 

recommendations and guiding principles to address the issues related to these mine sites. The Ministers 

also agreed to establish a multi-stakeholder advisory committee to implement the recommendations and 

to report back to the Mines Ministers in September 2002. This initiative includes, among other 

recommendations, capacity development for a national inventory of these sites, development of a plan to 

foster community involvement in decision-making about closure and reclamation standards, as well as a 

plan for sharing responsibility and stewardship where ownership cannot be established. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

195

3. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

Canadian contaminated sites generally fall under the following key categories: 

• Formerly unregulated disposal sites; 

• Industrial properties - spills, leaks, open storage areas, fill areas; 

• Electrical facilities - PCB leaks and spills; 

• Fire-fighter training areas; 

• Ports and waterways where past industrial discharges contaminated sediment; 

• Lagoons used to store or “treat” industrial effluents; 

• Mine tailings ponds; 

• Municipal and industrial landfills; 

• Military training areas; and 

• Wood preserving sites. 

In Canada, the application of traditional “low-tech” technologies still remains the general trend due to 

undesirable climate conditions in the North, large hauling distances, low tipping fees and high availability 

of land. Although this is the trend, R&D, demonstration and application of innovative technology 

combinations and enhancements to existing technologies is making progress. Examples of recent 

innovative technology applications include the use of combinations of new or existing technologies such 

as two-phase partitioning bioreactor and bioreactor/biopile technology to treat PCB contaminated soil, insitu bioslurping and thermal for the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons, phytoremediation for 

polishing/low concentrations of mix organic and inorganic contaminants, biofiltration of effluents from a 

bioslurping operation, as well as several others. 

A webpage is currently under development, which will provide links to information related to 

contaminated sites in Canada. Areas of focus will include: access to databases and documentation on 

remediation technologies and technology providers; linkages to research institutes/organizations; funding 

programs; case studies and other focus areas related to contaminated site management. This webpage is 

expected to be finalized and posted to the Government of Canada website by the end of 2002. 

4. CONCLUSIONS

As described above, contaminated sites remain an issue of concern for Canadian governments, the private 

sector and the public. Responsible parties have made significant progress on the assessment and 

remediation of their contaminated sites and continue to see this issue as an important environmental 

challenge. 

5. REFERENCES 

The following list of web sites and publications are currently available at the listed sites or in hard copy. 

In the future, these sites will be accessible directly through the Contaminated Sites Web page referred to 

in the summary above. 

1. www3.ec.gc.ca/EnviroRegs/Eng/SearchDetail.cfm?intAct=1017- web page describing the Fisheries 

Act. The Minister of the Environment has the responsibility for administration and enforcement of 

subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act, which deals with the deposit of deleterious substances into 

water frequented by fish. 

2. www3.ec.gc.ca/EnviroRegs/Eng/SearchDetail.cfm?intAct=1001- Webpage describing the Canadian 

Environmental Protection Act ( CEPA) 1999. The goal of this renewed Act is to contribute to 

sustainable development through pollution prevention and to protect the environment, human life and 

health from the risks associated with toxic substances. It acknowledges the need to virtually eliminate 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

196

the most persistent toxic substances that remain in the environment for extended periods of time 

before breaking down bioaccumulative toxic substances that accumulate within living organisms. 

3. www3.ec.gc.ca/EnviroRegs/Eng/SearchDetail.cfm?intAct=1000 - web page describing the Canadian 

Environmental Assessment Act. The Act requires federal departments, including Environment 

Canada, agencies, and crown corporations to conduct environmental assessments for proposed 

projects where the federal government is the proponent. It also requires environmental assessments 

when the project involves federal funding, permit or license. 

4. www.CCME.ca - Site describing the activities carried by the Canadian Council of the Ministers of the 

Environment, the major intergovernmental forum in Canada for discussion and joint action on 

environmental issues of national and international concern 

5. www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/notices/NoticeText.cfm?intNotice=54& intDocument=363 Canadawide Standard on Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil

6. www.ec.gc.ca/etad/csmwg/index_e.html - Site providing up-to-date information on the activities 

carried out by the Federal Contaminated Sites Management Working Group. This committee, an 

interdepartmental technical working group, promotes a coordinated approach in the management of 

federal contaminated sites in Canada. 

7. www.ec.gc.ca/etad/csmwg/workshop_e.html Innovative Site Assessment and Remediation 

Technology Workshop for Federal Contaminated Sites, November 2000 

Recent Publications of Interest (Not yet posted on the above websites): 

1a. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for the Management of Contaminated Sites in Canada, 

Final report, LJM Environmental Consulting, October 2001. 

1b. Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for the Management of Contaminated Sites in Canada,

Final Report –Tables, LJM Environmental Consulting, October 2001. 

2. Compilation and Review of Canadian Remediation Guidelines, Standards and Regulations, SAIC 

Canada, January, 2002. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

197

CZECH REPUBLIC 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

1. INTRODUCTION 

At the previous meetings of the Pilot Study, the legislation background and administrative procedure of 

remediation of environmental damages caused by the former Soviet Army and remediation of the polluted 

sites in the course of privatisation have been fully described. 

From 1990-2000, the amount provided from the state budget for study and decontamination work on the 

previous Soviet military bases, including risk analysis and supervision reports, equalled approximately 1 

118 mil. CZK. It is expected that it will be necessary to expend a further 320 - 370 mil. CZK by 2008. 

This year, the clean-up continues on six sites and two tenders are intended to be called for the supplier of 

the remedial action (chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater in area of previous military laundry and site 

with free oil phase on groundwater level). Total expenses in 2001 should be 75 mil. CZK. 

In the course of privatization, some principles of reimbursement of environmental obligations by the 

National Property Fund was modified by the Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 

51/2001, On Principles of Settlements of Ecological Obligations Originated before Privatization, which 

amends Resolutions No. 123/1993 and No. 810/1997. Important new principles are following: 

• the order of remediated sites will reflect priorities assessed by Ministry of the Environment with 

respect to their risk on health of human beings and/or ecosystems; 

• consent of the Government for the National Property Fund to make an Ecological Liability 

Agreement with new owner of the privatised property has effectiveness only two years; 

• in the case of serious ecological threat due to pollution of groundwater or soil in privatised enterprises 

the Ecological Liability Agreement can also be made in cases that the Project of Privatisation was 

submitted before the 1 March 1992 in spite of an 

absence of Eco-audit in the project. Obligatory conditions are the risk analysis to prove serious threat 

and recommendation of the Ministry of the Environment; 

• The National Property Fund is authorised to reimburse expenses of prospections, risk analysis and 

their bringing up-to-date, making projects, remediation of polluted soil, groundwater and building 

constructions, supervisions and pilot studies in the case of new unattested technologies; 

• the Ecological Liability Agreement can be terminated after the remediation measures, imposed by the 

Czech Environmental Inspection (CEI), was reached what must be confirmed by CEI. 

In the period from 1991 to 31 December 2000, the Government of the Czech Republic confirmed 257 

agreement guarantees of the National Property Fund, in an amount of 139.233 billion. CZK; of this 

number 240 Environmental Liability Agreements were concluded. The expenses paid until now for 

remedying historical burdens on the privatised property by the National Property Fund were as follows: 

1993 - 9.1 mil. CZK, 1994 - 139.2 mil. CZK, 1995 - 817.7 mil. CZK, 1996 - 949.7 mil. CZK, 1997 - 1 

375.3 mil. CZK, 1998 - 2 173.6 mil. CZK, 1999 - 1 758.9 CZK, 2000 - 2 129 mil. CZK. Remediation 

activities were finished at 17 sites, 89 cases are continuing. Until now, the greatest remedy is former 

coking plant Karolina in the centre of the town Ostrava where more than 500 000 tons of soils polluted by 

coal tar is remediated by the technology of thermal desorption (supposed expenses over 1.7 billion CZK). 

2. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

Meanwhile, the reimbursement of expenses of remedying historical environmental damages by the 

National Property Fund is not subject of the process of approximation of the Czech Republic to the 

European Union, the amendments of several Acts important in protection of the soil and groundwater 

which were enacted during the last year are, at least in part, result of the harmonisation and 

implementation of the environmental legislation of the European Communities to the Czech Republic. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

198

The Water Act No. 254/2001 will come into force on 1 January 2002. The polluter-pays principle 

accepted in the previous version has been used here also. Obligation to remedy contaminated surface and 

ground water respectively has been, however, imposed to the owners of the privatised property in spite of 

the fact that they are not polluter if they were informed about these ecological damages or the price of the 

property was reduced due to high probability of environmental damages at the site. For the purposes that 

remedial measures cannot be imposed on polluter or on the owner of property, and there is a threat of 

serious deterioration or pollution of surface or ground water, the water management authority shall 

establish a special account within its budget which will be supplemented annually to maintain the balance 

of CZK 50,000,000. 

In the field of the waste management the clean-up and reclaiming of landfills that have been closed by law 

is a serious financial problem. Since 1996 only technically secured landfills have been in operation in CR. 

Landfilling of waste highly predominate, only about 2 % of waste were incinerated. A new Act No. 

185/2001, on Wastes, which will come to force on 1 January 2002, is fully compatible with EU 

regulations. All the necessary implementation regulations are close to completion. 

Act No.66/2000 on Geological Works has included determination and elimination of anthropogenic 

pollution in the geological environment (rocks, soils and groundwater) as part of geological works. 

Consequently, the planning, carrying out and assessment of clean-up works may be carried out only by 

legal and natural persons who fulfil the conditions laid down by the legal regulations ("an organisation") 

and in which there is a person with certificate of professional qualification to plan, carry out and evaluate 

remedial actions who is responsible for the management and evaluation of such work. 

The requirements of the EC Air Protection legislation will be covered by the new Clean Air Act and its 

implementing Decrees. This legislation will come into force in November 2001. 

The most important with respect to the topic of this meeting is preparation of the draft of new Act on 

identification of chemical environmental burdens in groundwater, soil, rocks, and building constructions 

and their remediation. Previous legislative background was concentrated on remediation of historical 

contamination in process of privatization of the state enterprises. This new law will implement risk based 

contaminated land remediation and management duty on broad range of land owners who use or used 

pollutant listed in the appendix of the law. The law proposal should be submitted to the Government and 

Parliament next year and is expected to be in force in 2003. 

Following regulations for the remediation of contaminated sites are a substantial part of the draft: 

1. each owner of property in which harmful chemicals listed in appendix of the Act are used and each 

owner of land with landfill owe the duty to make prospection of the site for these chemicals in 

groundwater, soil, and building constructions; 

2. ascertained concentrations of the chemicals are compared with control standards (control standards: A 

level - background; B level - approximately the average between A and C levels; C level - 

concentration which may be harmful if this control standard is exceeded, different C levels for soil are 

given according to type of land use); 

3. owner of the property in which control standard A are exceeded and risk analysis prove an 

unacceptable risk for individual humans or ecosystems owe the duty made remediation of the site to 

the target concentration levels assessed by regional authorities or by Czech Environmental Inspection; 

4. in the case that duty of remediation is assessed the owner owe the duty to effect insurance against loss 

and damage due to environmental burdens. If the insurance is not effected the owner owe the duty to 

build up financial reserve; 

5. if remediation cannot be realised to the target limits due to the lack of proper technology of if 

expenses are too high and inadequate to the health risk decrease, compensatory measure can be 

assessed by CEI. Compensatory measures have form of financial dues. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

199

3. BROWNFIELDS 

The Ministry of the Environment, as the highest body of the environmental state administration, bears 

responsibility in preparing and implementing state policy in the sector of Brownfields. In The State 

Environmental Policy of CR, 2001, the necessity to prevent further investments in "green-field" 

construction. There is not, however, any unified approach to the brownfields despite the fact that the 

statistics continue to show an ongoing delpetion of greenfields in the Czech Republic in recent years. 

Many of the polluted sites remediated in the frame of the privatisation process or as historical burdens 

after the former Soviet Army is possible to consider as Brownfields. The first attempt at recovery of 

unused territory is being implemented in the historical centre of the coal mining and iron works - in the 

region of town Ostrava with the support of US EPA. The Welsh Development Agency has elaborated 

study "A strategy for industrial land reclamation in the Czech Republic". 

The MoE (Department of Environmental damages) provides support for 2 projects: 1) Integration of 

information on landfills and contaminated sites from the past and their risk assesment, and 2) Analysis of 

toxic intermediates of polyaromatic hydrocarbons biodegradation. These projects are payed from the 

research and development fund. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

200

FINLAND 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

A. Soil Protection 

The new Environmental Protection Act (86/2000) – which entered into force 1.3.2000 – implemented the 

IPPC directive (96/61/EC). Environmental Protection Act (EPA) is a general act on the prevention of 

pollution. In section 7 of the act is the soil pollution prohibition. The use of Best Available Technology 

(BAT) is written as a legal principle in section 4 of EPA, and it applies to all activities within the scope of 

the act. The regulation of contaminated soil was removed from the Waste Act (1072/1993) to the new 

Environmental Protection Act, in which chapter 12 is titled “Treatment of polluted soil and groundwater.” 

A decree on the assessment of the decree of pollution and the need for restoration of the soil is currently 

being prepared in the ministry of the environment. 

B. Waste Legislation 

The Waste Act (1072/1993) and Waste Decree (1390/1993) implemented the provisions of Council 

Directive (75/442/EEC) on waste and Council Directive (91/689/EEC) on hazardous waste. The other 

European Community provisions on waste and waste management have been implemented through 

general regulations issued by the Government or the Ministry of the Environment, such as the decree on 

the incineration of hazardous waste ( 842/1997)etc. 

The definitions of waste and hazardous waste in the Finnish Waste Act is similar to the definitions in the 

Waste Framework Directive 875/442/EEC and Council Directive (91/689/EEC) on hazardous waste. 

Therefore polluted soil material is always classified as waste. Whether polluted soil is hazardous waste, is 

decided on case by case basis. The decree on landfills implements the Council Directive on Landfills 

(99/31/EC). Polluted soil is within the scope of the decree. So, even special landfills for polluted soil have 

to meet all the legal demands of the landfill decree. 

The Waste Tax Act (495/1996 changed by 1157/1998) lays a tax on all waste disposed on municipal 

landfills. However, polluted soil is excluded from the scope of the tax. 

C. EIA-Legislation 

There is a special act (468/1994) and a decree (268/1999) on Environmental Impact Assessment. 

2. PERMITS FOR SOIL TREATMENT INSTALLATIONS 

A. Procedure for “On Site” Soil Restoration 

According to the special rule in the Environmental Protection Act section 78 an environmental permit is 

required for the treatment of polluted extractable land resources. Action may, however, be initiated to 

restore soil or to remove polluted soil material for treatment elsewhere by making the relevant notification 

to the regional environment center if; 

• the extent of the polluted soil and the degree of pollution have been adequately established 

• treatment observes an approved treatment method in general use; and 

• the activity does not result in any other pollution of the environment 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

201

The second criterion mentioned above refers to the technique or a method used in the restoration. Apart 

from removing the soil, restoration methods can be divided into soil washing, stabilization, biopiling, 

incineration and different soil venting methods. Whatever kind the method is, it has to be familiar in 

Finland to be subject to notification procedure only. Some prior practice of the method in Finland should 

be required. Therefore new methods may at first be subject to permit procedure. 

The notification is a cheaper and less time consuming procedure compared to permit procedure. In 

practice a notification is always given first and it is then up to the permit authority to award whether it is 

sufficient or whether a permit procedure should take place. The permit procedure is according to the 

legislation a primary rule, and it can be replaced by the notification procedure only if the criteria in the 

section 78.2 are met. However, in practice more than 90% of the restoration activities since 1.3.2000 have 

been subject to the notification procedure only. 

B. Liability to Apply for a Permit for “Off Site” Treatment of Soil 

An environmental permit is required for “institutional or commercial recovery or disposal of waste” 

(section 28.3). Polluted soil material which has been removed from the soil is considered as waste and 

therefore falls within the scope of Waste Act and other regulation concerning waste. An “off site” 

treatment of soil material is considered as recovery or disposal of waste and therefore subject to 

environmental permit procedure. 

There are some derogations concerning the permit requirement in section 28 of the Environmental 

Protection Act. Small scale recovery or disposal activities neither institutional nor commercial) can be 

excused from the permit requirement. In addition, permit is not required for “short-term activities 

undertaken on a trial basis when the purpose is to test a raw material for fuel, manufacturing or 

incineration method or treatment equipment, or to investigate the impact, usefulness or other 

corresponding feature of such activities.” In these cases a notification according to section 61 of 

Environmental Protection Act shall be made to the competent permit authority, at least 30 days before 

starting the activity. 

C. Permit Authorities 

The regional environment centers (13) issue permits for soil restoration. However, this power can be 

transferred to a local authority if “special causes” exist (section 80). In practice the transfer of power is 

possible only to big municipalities which can offer the expertise needed. The application of transferring 

the power is handled by the ministry of the environment. So far only Helsinki municipality environment 

centre has been transferred the power of handling notifications (not issuing permits) according to section 

78 in Environmental Protection Act. No other municipality has applied for transfer of powers. 

Following rules according to the Environmental Protection Decree sections 6-7 apply when polluted soil 

material is restored “off site” (waste disposal or recovery): The regional environment centers (13) issue 

permits for restoration in which the minimum capacity is 5000 tons of waste per year. The municipality 

issues permits for smaller activities. 

D. Summary of the Permit Procedures Concerning Soil Restoration 

Soil restoration activities are in the first place permitted according to the special procedures stated in 

section 78 (permit or notification). In most cases only a notification to the regional environment centre (in 

Helsinki the municipal environment centre) is required. According to section 28, a permit is required for 

the “off site” treatment as well (recovery or disposal of waste). However, if the soil material is restored or 

treated “on site”, only the procedure in section 78 applies. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

202

Table 1: Summary of possible procedures concerning restoration of polluted soil. 

Legal 

basis 

When? Derogations? Competent authority 

EPA 78 § 

(permit or 

notification) 

always for restoration 

(on site) 

No regional environment 

centre (In Helsinki 

municipal env. centre) 

EPA 28.2 § 

(permit) 

when the soil material is 

removed and taken “off 

site” for treatment 

short-term testing of method, 

equipment or impact (EPA 30 

§) Æ notification 

regional environment 

centre or municipal 

authority 

In general, the new procedure according to section 78 in the Environmental Protection Act is considered 

to be fluent. Testing of new clean-up techniques is possible by using the notification procedure according 

to sections 30 and 61 in the Environmental Protection Act. Presentation of new techniques in factual 

restoration projects, however, should at first be subject to the permit procedure according to section 78. 

For mobile establishments (which have recently been introduced in soil restoration) some problems may 

arise, when the restoration of the soil material (waste) has to be done “off site” - this might be because of 

the technique exceeds the emission limits for a certain area. “Off site” treatment of the soil is subject to 

permit procedure according to section 28 in the Environmental Protection Act and cab not be done inside 

the procedure according to section 78 in the act. 

Location of the activity is one of the legal considerations for granting the permit. So, mobile activities as 

such can not be permitted since the exact location of the activity can not be defined. Instead, small mobile 

technologies/plants are treated the same as large capacity immovable soil treatment plants; a separate 

environmental permit is needed for every site where the treatment activity takes place. 

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSSMENT (EIA) 

A. Restoration of Soil 

According to the general rule in the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment (468/1994) section 4, EIA 

applies to all activities which “may cause significant impacts to the environment.” Most of such activities 

are listed in the decree on EIA (268/1999). However, if the activity is not listed in the decree, the general 

rule mentioned above may still apply. The restoration of soil may become subject to EIA if it “may cause 

significant impacts to the environment.” However, the ruling interpretation in Finland is that soil 

restoration is not subject to EIA since restoration as such endeavors on cleaning the environment, not 

polluting. EIA could only become relevant in severe restoration projects in which there would be a 

potential danger of harmful impacts to soil or groundwater. 

B. Recovery or Disposal of Soil Material (Waste) 

“Institutional or commercial recovery or disposal of waste” (section 28.3) may become subject to EIA on 

the basis of criteria set out in the EIA-decree section 6. An “off site” disposal or recovery of polluted soil 

material can become subject to EIA. In considering whether or not EIA applies, relevance is given to the 

amount of waste, the classification of the waste and the technology at issue. 

In case of physical or chemical purification or incineration of the soil material, the minimum capacity of 

5000 tons per year is the limit for EIA if the soil material is classified as hazardous waste. If the soil 

material is classified as (ordinary) waste, the minimum capacity of activities/establishments subject to 

EIA is 100 tons per day. Biological treatment of waste is subject to EIA if the capacity of the 

plant/establishment is 20 000 tons per year at the minimum. In case of disposal, more than 50 000 tons of 

waste per year is always subject to EIA. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

203

C. Summary of Applying EIA in Soil Restoration 

A soil restoration project is, according to the ruling interpretation of the law among authorities, not 

subject to EIA. However, soil cleaning plants in cases where the soil is removed from the soil, can be 

subject to EIA if the conditions in the EIA-decree section 6 are met. If the soil is classified as hazardous 

waste, EIA is required for relatively small capacity plants/establishments. Biopiling is considered as a 

biological treatment of waste and therefore subject to EIA if the capacity of the establishment is 20 00 

tons per year or more. 

For mobile soil treatment plants/technologies, a similar problem in relation to EIA exist as in relation to 

environmental permit: EIA is by definition a location based instrument and therefore the EIA requirement 

should be assessed case by case on all different “off site” treatment/restoration locations. 

4. SUBSTANTIVE LAW CONCERNING SOIL RESTORATION 

Recognition of a polluted soil is found in EPA section 7: “...deterioration of soil quality as may endanger 

or harm health or environment, may substantially impair the amenity of the site or cause comparable 

violation of the public or private good.” The definition is broad and no consistent practice has bee 

developed, although some unofficial guidance (a memorandum of the ministry of the environment 1994) 

has been available about target-values and limit-values of different harmful substances in the soil. 

However, a new decree on assessment of the decree of pollution and the need for restoration. The new 

decree will introduce the criteria for soil pollution (target-values, limit-values) and the need for 

restoration. 

5. USE OF TREATED SOIL MATERIALS 

There is no special legislation or other criteria concerning the use of contaminated soil in earthworks. 

Guidelines (non-legal) on reuse have been prepared in Finnish Environment Institute. Until now treated 

soil waste has been reused for construction of landfills and earthworks of industrial and storage areas as 

other wastes also. 

6. CLASSIFICATION OF THE SOIL AND ITS LEGAL EFFECTS 

Classification of polluted soil as waste or hazardous waste has been a controversial issue and 

interpretations in different regional authorities have been inconsistent. In many cases the classification has 

been based on the proposed interim limit values of contaminated soil. Due to this, a major part of the 

removed soil material has been classified as hazardous waste. According to new criteria most of the soil 

removed from contaminated sites shall not be classified as hazardous waste. 

Despite the renewed criteria, some of the removed soil will still be classified as hazardous waste. The 

classification of the soil as hazardous waste has at least the following relevant legal effects: 

1. EIA applies for all plants/establishments with a capacity of at least 5000 tons per year. 

2. In the case of incineration techniques, the decree on hazardous waste incineration (842/1997) is 

applied. This decree regulates the technical standards and especially the emissions to air. In practice, 

hazardous waste incineration is not allowed on delicate areas, such as housing or recreation areas. 

3. For removing the soil “off site”, a certain transport document is issued. 

4. If a permit is required for recovery or disposal of waste (section 28 in EPA), a financial guarantee is 

required to cover the possible malfunctions in the activity. 

5. The disposal or recovery on hazardous waste can not be released from permit requirement. (For a non 

hazardous waste treatment plant a derogation from the permit requirement is possible according to the 

EPA section 30. This possibility is originally based on the Waste Framework Directive art. 11) 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

204

7. SUMMARY 

In general, the material regulation in Finland concerning environmental technology, emissions to soil, 

water and air does not hamper the implementation of new remediation technologies. On the contrary, the 

principle of Best Available Technology is a general principle in the Environmental Protection Act 

(section 4), and it applies to all activities. The waste legislation at present in most cases allows the 

treatment of polluted soil without applying the regulation concerning hazardous waste – this should 

encourage the presentation of new methods and technologies. 

The procedural regulation of restoring contaminated sites is also considered to be quite fluent by all. In 

most cases, only a notification to the competent authority is needed. However, the environmental permit 

system may in some cases hamper the use or introduction of new technologies. Especially removable soil 

treatment plants, which in most cases are both environmentally and economically feasible, may become 

subject to a double permit procedure. This is however only in cases, where the removed soil material has 

to be taken “off site” for treatment; permit may be required for both the restoration project and the 

treatment of the soil material. 

The economic burden on the disposal of polluted soil does not in every possible way support the 

treatment of polluted soil. Even though polluted soil is subject to landfill regulation and the indirect 

economic burden there off, the disposal of polluted soil is still excluded from the scope of waste tax. 

8. THE SOIL TREATMENT MARKET IN FINLAND 

In recent years about 200 polluted sites have been restored per year. A sum of approx. 30-35 million euros 

is used every year in restoring. During the next 10-15 years, at the minimum 3000 sites should be 

restored, at the cost of approx. 0,4-0,8 billion euros. Closed mines or the treatment of removed water 

sediments is not included in these calculations. In total 20 000 sites in Finland have been classified as 

“potentially contaminated.” About 10 companies which the Finnish market on soil remediation. Also 

some new companies are intending to enter the market – both from Finland and other countries. Some 

new technologies have even been introduced, such as bioremediation techniques, reactive barrier 

solutions, electrokinetic methods and phytoremediation. 

In addition there are 54 (1998) permitted locations where it is possible to compost soils contaminated by 

oil based compounds and case by case also other substances which are verified to be compostable. 

There are 5-7 consultant enterprises which offer case by case services to manage contaminated sites 

combining different technologies. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

205

FRANCE 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

A. Background Information on Legal and Legislative Action 

It may be considered that the French policy in matter of polluted land has been defined in its general 

features and objectives by the December 3rd 1996 circular letter of the Minister of the Environment. This 

policy can be characterized by a will of efficiency and realism. The circular letter includes a paragraph 

entitled: "The principles of a realistic policy for the treatment of polluted sites and soils", in which it is 

written that "...it is a long term action, to the scale of the century and half of industrial history of our 

country. The development of this policy can only be progressive and according to the public and private 

means that will be possible to mobilize...". 

Another aspect of this policy is the principle of dialogue, also mentioned in the circular letter of 

December 1993. This principle is put in practice between the Ministry of the Environment and the 

different actors that take part in the management of polluted sites: governmental agencies (ADEME, 

Water Agencies), industrial operators of potentially polluting installations, associations for the protection 

of the environment, experts, consultants and enterprises specialized in evaluation and treatment of 

polluted land and, in the case of pollution related to domestic waste, Municipalities and Territorial 

Institutions. This dialogue occurs in many occasions, specially in the national working groups that discuss 

the projects of methodological guides prepared by the Ministry of the Environment, before these guides 

are issued as references for technical regulations. 

B. Summary of Legislation 

In the case of polluted sites, the basic legal reference is the law of July 19, 1976 on the Installations 

Registered for the Purpose of Environmental Protection (Installations Classées pour la Protection de 

l'Environnement: IC Law), which covers all environmental aspects of industrial activities (including 

waste management and treatment or disposal). According to this law industrial installations have to be 

either authorized (if they have potentially a strong environmental impact) or declared (if they have 

potentially a little environmental impact). Another basic reference, which may be applied in the case of 

pollution of land, is the law of July 15, 1975 on elimination of waste and recovery materials (Elimination 

des Déchets et Récupération des Matériaux: Waste Law). Additional laws, improving the management of 

the environment, complete the I.C. and waste laws: 

3⁄4 Law of July 13th 1992 created a new policy for the management of domestic wastes including: 

• the progressive banishment of direct landfilling of waste within a time limit of ten years, 

• the institution of a tax on the direct landfilling of domestic waste, 

• a specific section on the selling of industrial land, where installations regulated by the IC 

Law have been operated, that oblige the vendor to inform the purchaser of the possibility of 

the pollution of the considered land. In this situation the purchaser has the possibility to 

cancel or to renegotiate the sale. 

3⁄4 Law of February 2nd 1995 regulated the procedures in the case of "orphan" polluted sites and finance 

this action by the extension of the waste tax (law of July 1992) to special (polluting) industrial waste 

treated or disposed in collective installations. 

3⁄4 Law of Dec. 31 1998 (finance law) that creates a new general tax on polluting activities (TGAP). 

This tax replaces different previously existing taxes and is applied on air pollution, noise, used oils, 

treatment / disposal of domestic and industrial waste. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

206 

In connection to these laws, additional legislative decrees and circular letters (directives) have been 

issued, mainly: 

• decree of September 21, 1977, that defines the obligations of the operator of an industrial installation 

in the case of cessation of activity 

• circular letter of December 3, 1993, defining the policy for polluted sites 

• circular letters of April. 3 and 18, 1996, requiring the realization of preliminary diagnostic and 

simplified risk assessment for active industrial sites 

• circular letter of June 7, 1996, describing the procedure to be carried out to apply the polluter pays 

principle. 

• circular letter of Sept. 1, 1997, indicating the possibilities to imply the owner of the polluted site. 

• circular letter of March 11, 1999, specifying administrative and legal procedures applicable to 

polluted sites remediation 

• circular letter of December 10, 1999, listing the principals to fix the remedial objectives 

C. The Concept of Polluted Sites 

At the origin in 1978 and during the eighties, problems of polluted sites and soils were systematically 

related with problems of wastes. 

A wider concept of pollution of land designated by "polluted sites and soils" was introduced at the 

beginning of the nineties. Accordingly, on December 3, 1993, the circular letter dealing with the "policy 

of rehabilitation and treatment of polluted sites and soils" was issued by the Minister of the Environment 

and gathered the main elements of a new policy for the subject encompassing: 

• a systematic registration of potentially polluted sites 

• a concerted definition of priorities 

• the treatment of every polluted site according to its impact and the use of the land. 

At the present time, the definition of a polluted site is: site generating a risk, either actual or potential, 

for human health or the environment related to the pollution of one of the medias, resulting of past or 

present activities. 

Practically, polluted sites are industrial sites, active or inactive, waste sites, and accidental pollution sites. 

D. Administrative Aspects 

Although there is a recent tendency towards some regionalization, France remains a centralized country. 

For the environment, like for other subjects, laws are discussed and voted by the parliament and 

regulations are enacted by the Government and have a national validity. At the central level, the Ministry 

of the Environment is responsible for the management of the environmental policy. More precisely, inside 

the Ministry of the Environment, the Department in charge of industrial pollution and waste management, 

including the problem of polluted sites is the Direction of Prevention of Pollution and Risks (Direction de 

la Prévention des Pollutions et des Risques: DPPR). At the local level the basic geographical 

administrative unit is the “departement” (there are 99 departements in the country), and in every 

department, the Prefect, who is the representative of the government, is responsible for the 

implementation of the regulations. In the particular case of polluted sites, for which, the basic framework 

law is the Law on Registered Installations (IC Law, mentioned above in b). The Prefect is assisted by the 

Inspectors of the Registered Installations who control industrial activities (including waste management 

and disposal) and who are in almost all cases members of the Regional Direction of Industry, Research 

and Environment (Direction Régionale de l'Industrie, de la Recherche et de l'Environnement: DRIRE). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

207 

Basically the legal and administrative action is based on the polluter pays principle, the polluter being, 

according to the IC Law, the operator of the installation at the origin of the pollution. 

The circular letter of the Minister of the Environment of June 7, 1996 gives a detailed definition of the 

procedure to be carried out by the authorities to manage the suspected or proven contaminated sites 

according to the polluter pays principle and, in case of unsuccess, to deal with the orphan sites. This 

procedure may be explained as follows: in the case a registered installation is suspected to be responsible 

of land pollution, the Prefect may require the operator, according to the IC Law (section 23), to carry out 

the actions (investigations or clean up) requested by the Inspectorate of Registered Installations 

(Inspection des Installations Classées). If the operator doesn't comply with the order, the Inspector of the 

Registered Installations writes to the Prefect a report assessing this non execution. In this situation, the 

Prefect may require the operator to deposit to a public accountant a sum representing the estimated cost of 

the requested work. If this procedure does not succeed, most of time because of insolvency of the 

operator, the public accountant states the insolvency of the responsible party to the Prefect who will then 

send the file of the considered case to the Ministry of the Environment, requiring the site to be considered 

as "orphan". If the Ministry agrees, the case is presented to the specific National Commission of the 

Agency of the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) to be financed by public funding 

(TGAP). Then, if the case is accepted by the Committee, the Prefect is allowed to issue an order asking 

ADEME to carry out the requested investigations or clean up. After the requested actions have been 

carried out ADEME has to initiate lawsuits against potential responsible parties in order to try to get the 

reimbursement of the public money spent for the case. 

The position of the authorities concerning the owner of a polluted site is a subject of active discussion. 

Some years ago, the position of the Ministry of the environment was rather to consider the owner as a 

responsible of second row and generally no action was initiated against him. Now this position has 

changed and the Ministry may require the prefect (circular letter of Sseptember 1, 1997), in the case of 

failure of the action against the operator of the installation, to engage administrative action against the 

owner. However the existing jurisprudence is rather controversial and the legal validity new position of 

the Ministry is not proven. 

E. Summary of Policy Developments 

As it has been explained above the French approach to deal with polluted sites is basically connected with 

the legislation on the environmental management of industrial installations (IC Law) and to a more 

limited degree to the management of waste (waste law). 

This means that there is no specific legislation relative to soil protection or polluted sites. Although the 

development of such legislation has been already considered, it seems that it will probably not happen in 

the short or middle term and that the existing approach will continue. 

In this view the existing laws (IC Law) will be applied and completed by technical directives (circular 

letters) issued by the Ministry of the Environment to organise the management of polluted sites. These 

technical directives are related to technical guides developed at the present time. 

A first technical guide has been issued in 1996 (draft 0) and 2000 (draft 2) to organise the preliminary 

evaluation and priority ranking of suspected polluted sites. The proposed preliminary evaluation includes 

two steps: 

Step A: which is a documentary study (a historical review and a vulnerability study) based on available 

and accessible data, and is completed with a site visit. The historical review includes a description 

of the sequences of activities that have taken place in the course of time, their precise locations 

and any associated environmental practices that may have been carried out. The vulnerability 

study includes an investigation of the parameters (geology, etc.) that could have relevance for the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

208 

fate and transport of the contaminants and the potential targets (housing, drinking water supply 

etc.) likely to be affected. 

 During the site visit the data deriving from the documentation study should be verified and 

additional data acquired. An evaluation and identification of existing and potential impacts takes 

place and a further investigation programme is prepared. 

Step B: initial diagnosis (and the simplified risk assessment (SRA) includes the collection of data that 

have not been available within the previous study but are conditional for the simplified risk 

assessment. The SRA demands an understanding of the contamination's spatial distribution and 

transport mechanisms, the identification of possible hazards and the description of possible 

rehabilitation methods. At this stage it is necessary to develop some field investigation in order to 

acquire the data that make this understanding possible. 

Simplified Risk Assessment (SRA); based on the results of the preliminary evaluation, a simplified risk 

assessment is conducted according to a scoring system: the site in question is classified in one of 

3 groups: 

• sites needing further investigation and detailed risk assessment 

• sites for which monitoring systems should be applied 

• sites that can be used for specific purposes without further investigations or implementation 

of measures 

The decision making process within the SRA is supported by defined guideline values. 

For the sites where the preliminary diagnostic concludes that the pollution and risks are serious, the 

realization of the impact study and risk assessment will give the basis to determine the rehabilitation 

objectives and to select the remedial options. 

A second methodological guide, under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment, in 

cooperation with a national working group, has been issued in 2000 (draft 0). This guide defines the 

objectives and contents of the impact study (detailed investigations) and detailed risk assessment. The risk 

assessment takes into account the present and future uses of the site and its surrounding, especially for the 

water and air dispersion routes. Targets taken into account are human health, water resources, ecosystems 

and buildings. The maximum tolerable excess lifetime cancer risk to be used for defining remedial 

objectives is 10 –5. 

The proposed detailed evaluation includes two steps (B Sauvale, D.Darmandrail in Risk Assessment for 

Contaminated Sites in Europe-Policy Framework, CARACAS 1999:

Step A: in-depth diagnosis. The main objectives are: 

- to verify or refute hypotheses made following the initial diagnosis, and, in particular, to 

identify and characterise all sources of pollution and to establish the actual condition of the 

site. 

- to estimate the extent of pollution in the transfer media (this should be done for all media 

concerned 

- to understand the transfer mechanisms of pollutants in these media 

- to evaluate (if necessary) the impacts, whether direct, indirect or cumulative 

- to collect all the informations needed to implement the detailed risk assessment 

Step B: detailed risk assessment which should enable: 

- the identification of significant unacceptable risks to human health and other receptors, and 

which therefore require treatment to reduce or eliminate these risks 

- the definition of remedial objectives on the basis of current scientific knowledge, consistent 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

209 

with the defined land use of a site and its surroundings. These objectives or tolerable risks 

levels should be both technically and economically realistic 

- the determination of a remedial strategy adapted to the site, indicating actions which will 

enable risks to be reduce 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

Although France was probably one of the first countries to carry out some kind of inventory of polluted 

sites in 1978, limited attention has been given to the problems of land pollution until the beginning of the 

nineties. 

National register

At the national level, since 1993, a national register is managed by the Ministry of the Environment 

(DPPR). In this register are gathered the sites that are known by the local authorities and can be 

considered as polluted. 

These sites are listed in a computerized databank (BASOL) and reports are periodically issued by the 

Ministry to inform the public of the situation. A publication of this register was issued in December 1994, 

gathering 669 sites; another one based on the situation of December 1996 was issued in December 1997, 

with 896 polluted sites plus 125 sites already restored without any limitation of use. In June 2001, 3058 

polluted sites were inventoried. In February 2002, 3345 polluted sites were inventoried, including: 

• 243 treated sites without use restriction 

• 1228 treated sites with use restriction 

• 467 industrial sites still working with a programmed simplified risk assessment 

• 1407 sites at the present time in evaluation or in remedial operation 

Inventories

In addition to this registration system are actions of inventory carried out through two specific ways: 

a) The historical inventories, initiated at the regional level (BASIAS data base), based of the 

consideration of local industrial history in order to discover, in connection with the existence of past 

polluting industrial activities, the places where pollution can be suspected. These inventories are mainly 

based on the consideration of the archives and indicate suspected sites (or potentially polluted sites). At 

the present time (March 2002) such inventories are finished in 33/99 departments (52 000 sites have been 

studied). It is expected that about 200 000 to 300 000 suspected locations will be collected at the end of 

these studies (2005) for the whole national territory among which some thousands will require corrective 

action. 

b) The evaluation of the pollution of active industrial sites (including industrial waste treatment and 

disposal sites) 

In April 1996, the Ministry of the Environment instructed the Prefects of departments to order the owners 

of registered installations to carry out preliminary investigations and simplified risk assessment of their 

sites. A preliminary classification of priority activities to consider in the orders is given in the annexe of 

the circular letter. Within five years (end 2002) it is previewed that some 2000 sites assigned with priority 

1 will be evaluated. 

Estimation of the number of polluted sites

The two previously mentioned actions, historical inventories and evaluation of active industrial sites, are 

not enough developed to allow a significant evaluation. The only very approximative estimation possible 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

210 

at the present time is 200 000 to 300 000 suspected sites and some thousands of cases requiring 

corrective actions. 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS 

A. Summary Data on Remedial Technologies Used in the Country 

According to a 2001 study (BIPE, Polluted sites market in France, Confidential), the techniques used for 

the polluted soils in 400 sites where a rehabilitation project has been carried out can be listed as follows: 

• Landfilling: 5-10% 

• On site isolation: 10-15% 

• In/on site treatment: 20-30% 

• Biotreatment (biopiles): 25-30% 

• Incineration: 5-10% 

• Thermal desorption: 8-10% 

• Other: 5-10% 

In more than on third of these cases, combination of techniques has been used. 

B. Policy Initiative and Other Factors Influencing the Use of Remedial Methods 

For the first cases of rehabilitation during the eighties and in the beginning of the nineties, most of the 

techniques used were isolation and treatment or disposal in the installations of the waste system. 

It appeared soon that waste treatment plants (incineration) were often technically inappropriate and very 

expensive and, because of recent regulations, inducing restrictions of use and technical constraints, 

landfilling has become more and more difficult and costly. 

These circumstances create a positive evolution for the use of specific soil treatment techniques. 

C. Methods Used for Remediation 

The techniques that have been and are still the most frequently used to clean soils are microbiological 

degradation and soil venting, but in cases where no treatment technique can be technically or 

economically applied, isolation remains one of the most frequently used technique,. 

Biodegradation is most of the time carried out on site by the mean of composting or bio-piles (11 biopiles 

in 2001). Contaminants degraded are petroleum compounds, light and heavy oils and even polyaromatic 

hydrocarbons. Soil venting addresses volatiles hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents in the unsaturated 

zone. It is sometimes associated with in situ biodegradation (bio-venting). To depollute the satured levels 

(groundwater) venting is combined with air sparging. 

More recently, new treatment capabilities have been made available either by specific own development 

or by technology transfer. The techniques concerned are soil washing (solvent washing: one plant in 

2001) and thermal desorption. 

At the present time six thermal treatment installations, with various level of performance (quantity and 

complexity of pollution that can be treated) have been made available in France. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

211 

4. RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION 

A. Summary of Government Supported R&D 

The support of R & D by the Government is mainly provided by the Ministry of the Environment and the 

Ministry of Research and Education through three different ways: 

 Ministry of the Environment, Section in charge of Research (D4E) that develops research programs 

focusing on behaviour of contaminants in regard of risks and possibilities of treatment 

 Ministry of the Environment, Section in charge of Industrial Environment (SEI) that develops the 

methodological guidance documents to be used in connection with regulations 

 Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) in charge of evaluation and 

rehabilitation of orphans polluted sites that develops specific research programs to improve the basis 

of decision making procedures and to optimise the choice of remedial techniques and the control of 

their efficiency. 

The total amount of funds made available through these three actions is about 3 M€/year.

Concerning the development of rehabilitation techniques, some public money is supplied by the 

Ministries of Research and of Industry through funds to help technical innovation (RITEAU projects) and 

international cooperation (EUREKA projects). 

In addition to governmental funding, some supports to R & D projects are also provided by Regions most 

of the time in connection with the economical redevelopment of brownfields (North or Lorraine Regions). 

B. Private R&D Programs 

In addition to research programs financed by public funds, some enterprises develop specific R & D 

activities (1.5 M€ in 2001). These enterprises can be gathered into two categories: 

 Enterprises responsible of polluted sites that are looking for optimisation (technical and economical) 

of the management of these sites: a typical example of such enterprises is Gaz de France that is in 

charge of about 467 gaswork sites 

• Enterprises that are active in evaluation and/or clean up of polluted sites and that try to improve their 

know how. 

C. Perspectives 

According the present time it may be estimated that the R & D programs will be mainly oriented in two 

directions: 

• increase the efficiency of the management of the suspected and proven polluted sites by the 

preparation of technical guidance documents associated with the development of specific tools to 

improve the decision making procedures 

• develop more economical and efficient equipments and processes to characterise and to treat the 

pollution. 

Considering the treatment techniques, two possibilities are simultaneously developed: 

• improvement of existing techniques: a typical example is bioremediation with many projects trying to 

extend its application to recalcitrant pollutants (PAH, PCB...) 

• development of new treatment techniques: reactive walls, supercritical extraction, electro migration...
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

212

GERMANY 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

Soil protection and the management of contaminated sites in Germany have been regulated on the federal 

level since 1999. The Federal Soil Protection Act was enacted on March 1st, the accompanying Soil 

Protection Ordinance on July 19th. 

The act and the ordinance cover most of the items connected with the management of contaminated sites 

with two major exceptions, where the Laender may provide legal regulations: 

• Identification (Article 11): 

 The Länder may issue provisions regarding identification of contaminated sites and of sites suspected 

of being contaminated. 

• Experts and Investigating Bodies (Article 18): 

 Experts and investigating bodies that carry out tasks pursuant to this Act shall possess the necessary 

expert knowledge and reliability for such tasks and shall have the appropriate required equipment. 

The Länder may set forth the details of the requirements pertaining to experts and investigating 

agencies pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph, as well as to the nature and extent of their 

tasks, submission of the results of their activities and the official naming of experts that fulfil the 

requirements pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph. 

Identification and Registration 

The Laender identify and register the sites, which are contaminated, and the sites, which are suspected to 

be contaminated, according to their own criteria. 

The Federal Soil Protection Ordinance gives some hints to be considered: 

(Sites) ... where pollutants were handled ... over an extended period of time or in significant amounts 

and where operation, management ... or disturbances of proper operation suggest the existence of 

significant inputs of such substances into the soil. At abandoned waste deposits, such evidence shall 

in particular be deemed to exist in cases in which the type of operation or the time of closure suggest 

that the waste was not properly treated, stored or deposited. 

The actual inventory shows more than 360.000 registered sites. 

Number of (Suspected) 

Federal States Former 

Waste Disposal Sites 

Former 

Industrial Sites Sites

[1] [2] [3] [4] 

Baden-Württemberg 6.229 11.567 17.796 

Bavaria 10.034 3.295 13.329 

Berlin 763 6.220 6.983 

Brandenburg 8.189 14.447 25.313 * 

Bremen 173 18.154 18.327 

Hamburg 491 1.638 2.129 

Hesse 6.630 63.539 70.169 

Mecklenburg W.-Pomerania 4.078 7.264 11.342 

Lower Saxony 8.957 50.000 58.957 

North Rhine-Westphalia 18.116 17.147 35.263 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

213 

Rhineland-Palatinate 10.578 No Data 10.578 

Saarland 1.686 3.530 5.216 

Saxony 8.590 19.115 27.705 

Saxony-Anhalt 6.296 14.692 20.988 

Schleswig-Holstein 3.181 16.451 19.632 

Thuringia 6.138 12.824 18.962 

Germany Total 100.129 259.883 362.689

Remarks:

• Rhineland-Palatinate will update the inventory in 2001. 

• The difference between [4] and the sum of [2] and [3] is due to regional classification. 

The Laender are aware of the problem that different criteria will cause different and not comparable data. 

A first step has now been made to compile the regional criteria for the registration such as: 

• Are sites with different reasons for suspicion (for example: former industrial site plus uncontrolled 

waste disposal) are counted once or twice? 

• Are overlapping sites counted once or more than once? 

• Will information be deleted about sites which are not anymore suspected to be contaminated? 

• Are the inventories based on individual hints or on general estimations? 

• Is the process of identification seen as finished? 

• Are sites, which have been remediated according to the present use of the site, removed from 

the registers? 

2. REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO EXPERTS AND INVESTIGATING AGENCIES 

On the behalf of the Committee “Contaminated Sites“ (part of the working group of the Federal 

Government and the Federal States on “soil protection”) a group of experts worked out regulations 

concerning the investigation of (suspected) contaminated sites; Title: Guidelines for quality assurance in 

the field of contaminated sites (Arbeitshilfen zur Qualitätssicherung in der Altlastenbehandlung). 

Chapters: 

• Investigation strategy 

• Sampling of soil, air (in the ground) and groundwater 

• Treatment of the samples 

• Field analysis 

• Chemical and biological analysis 

• Interpretation and assessment of the results 

• Simulation of groundwater flow and transport processes 

The Committee has recommended publishing these guidelines for using and testing. The guidelines (until 

now only German version available) can be downloaded at http://www.lua.nrw.de/altlast/altqs.htm. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

214 

3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

A. Stars 

A Database on about 1,100 relevant environmental substances has been set up by the Federal 

Environmental Agency with: 

1. physical and chemical characteristics of the substances, 

2. behavior in the environment (stability, degradation etc.), 

3. ecological toxicology (human, mammal, acceptable daily intake), 

4. substance specific regulations,industrial health and safety requirements, 

6. regulations according of the German soil protection act, 

7. regulations of the Federal States. 

B. Joint Research Projects 

The technology development program is mainly funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and 

Research (BMBF). There are currently three major projects: 

• Treatment Walls for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites 

• reliable data for planning and construction 

• demonstration of tue environmental impacts 

• technological aspects of installation and operation 

• (Enhanced) Natural Attenuation 

• Prognosis of Leachate from Contaminated Materials 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

215 

GREECE 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

In Greece the Environmental Law 1650/86 was enacted in 1986 and was designed to cover all aspects of 

environmental protection. In that law specific provisions were included regarding soil protection from the 

disposal of municipal and industrial wastes, and from excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides. Although 

no specific legislation guidelines or standards exist for soil quality, there are several components in Greek 

law, which refer directly or indirectly to control of soil and groundwater contamination. 

Apart from Law 1650/86, the basic elements of Greek legislation related to contaminated sites are two 

Joint Ministerial Decisions (JMD) dealing with the management of municipal and hazardous wastes 

respectively. The Municipal Waste Management Act (J.M.D 69728/824/96) was enacted in May 1996 and 

imposes obligations on local authorities for developing waste management plans. One important issue is 

the registration of old waste dumps and their gradual elimination through reclamation and rehabilitation. 

The Hazardous Waste Management Act (JMD 19396/1546/1997) was enacted in July 1997. This Act 

defines hazardous wastes and refers amongst others, to the duties of the producer or holder of hazardous 

wastes to avoid contamination of land from hazardous wastes disposal. 

In the “National Plan and the Framework of technical specifications, regarding hazardous waste 

management”, which are being prepared today, a more specific approach to the investigation and 

management of sites, contaminated by hazardous waste dumping, will be included. 

2. CONTAMINATED SITES 

The paucity of heavy industry and other production activities that give rise to hazardous wastes has 

restricted the number of contaminated sites in Greece. Such sites are more likely to be related to improper 

dumping of household and industrial wastes, to mining spoil and tailings ponds, to petroleum refining and 

storage sites. So far there has been no specific survey for the identification and registration of 

contaminated sites in Greece. According to the first inventory of household waste disposal sites in 1988, 

some 3500 sites were operating without any environmental protection measures, and about 1500 sites 

with limited measures. 

Research carried out by universities and research institutes has identified a number of industrially 

contaminated sites, including the Lavreotiki Peninsula, the large mining area of Northern Eubea, the 

Thriassion pedion area in the Attica prefecture, the industrial zones of Thessaloniki and Athens 

(Schimatari-Inofyta) etc. Today a study is being planned by the Ministry of the Environment for the 

registration of sites suspected of dumping hazardous wastes. 

3. REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES - REMEDIAL METHODS

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in rehabilitation activities, mainly concerning 

municipal waste disposal sites, but also on sites contaminated from industrial and mining activities. Three 

major rehabilitation projects concerning municipal wastes disposal sites are currently in progress: 

1. The site of Schistos, which stopped operating in 1992 

2. The landfill site of Ano Liossia (Attica) 

3. The landfill site of Tagarades (Thessaloniki) 

Regarding full scale projects for the remediation of contaminated soils, available information is very 

limited. There is however a number of cases, where industrially polluted soils have been remediated, 

using the following techniques: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

216 

1. Excavation and of site landfilling 

2. Ex-situ and in-situ bioventing applied for soils contaminated with organic volatile and semi-volatile 

compounds 

3. Soil vapour extraction applied for volatile contaminants 

4. Soil washing applied for the case of soils contaminated with acids 

5. Soil flushing applied for soils contaminated with acids, metals and organics. 

4. RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION 

There is no specific National R&D programme in the field of Contaminated Land. However, several 

Greek Universities and Research Organisations are actively involved in the development of innovative 

soil remediation technologies, such as: 

• In situ chemical stabilisation of heavy metal polluted soils 

• Removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils by chemical extraction techniques 

• Bioremediation of soils contaminated by heavy metals and metalloids 

• Remediation of polluted ground waters using permeable reactive barriers 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

217 

ITALY 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

After the Ministry Decree (DM) of 1989, which started the collection of regional data on contaminated 

sites, a more comprehensive national legislation relevant to contaminated sites has been enforced at the 

beginning of 1997 by the adoption of the Waste Act (D. Lg.vo 22/97); this law provides the institutional 

framework for contaminated sites assessment and management, and establishes the requirements for the 

development of the technical and administrative procedures relevant to contaminated sites inventory, 

characterization and assessment, clean-up, safety measures and monitoring (Art.17). These procedures 

have been set out in technical and more specific administrative guidelines adopted with the Environment 

Ministry Decree (DM) 471 of October 25th 1999 which is actually the 'implementation decree' of Art.17 

of D.Lg.vo 22/97. 

Law 426 of December 9th 1998 establishes a first list of 15 sites of national interest within the National 

Plan for the Clean-up of Contaminated Sites. The Plan is relevant to sites, which, because of their size, 

complexity and extent of environmental and health risks, are object of direct involvement and funding 

from the government. These sites altogether cover an inland and off-shore potentially affected area of 

over 330,000 hectares, more than 1% of the state territory. The Ministry of the Environment together with 

the ANPA (National Agency for the Protection of the Environment) and with the other competent 

national and local agencies and institutions, are responsible for approving and issuing permits relevant to 

site investigation, assessment and remediation projects. 

More recently the National Plan has updated the list that includes now 41 sites and a public investment of 

approximately 500M euros for the years 2001-2003. The budget will be mostly dedicated to cover costs 

of investigations and emergency safety projects. By a preliminary estimate the overall area potentially 

affected by the sites of national interest, should cover around 2% of the state territory. The list includes 

major poles of the oil, chemical, steel works, asbestos and mining industry, partly or entirely dismissed, 

together with some large areas affected by illegal waste dumping. In some cases projects are carried out 

according to formal agreements between stakeholders and control bodies. 

The sites of national interest add to the regional inventories of contaminated sites, which accounts now 

for approximately 10,000 sites plus 6,000 gas stations. So far though only four out of 20 regions have 

completed their inventory and formally approved the remediation plan, with priorities and costs, by 

regional laws. 

The total estimated cost, for long term remediation of national and regional sites amounts to 

approximately 30,000-35,000M euros. 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

Three different procedures are envisaged by DM 471/99 to register and to initiate actions at contaminated 

sites: 

• a notice that is communicated to local authorities from the polluter; 

• an ordinance that is issued by controlling authorities; and 

• voluntary registration and actions, on behalf of site owners, especially for historic 

contamination episodes. 

Obligations and schedules for contaminated site notice communication, under procedure 1, to 

Municipality and Regional authority are established. Tasks and powers of local authorities and competent 

institutions in issuing ordinances to parties responsible of pollution are defined under procedure 2. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

218 

Ordinances are issued by competent Municipality. For procedure 3, that also requires a formal registration 

of the site to local authorities; the deadline has been established within current year 2001. Public sites and 

sites lacking of an identified responsible party, are also collected in the register. Regions define priorities 

of actions on registered sites. 

The sequence of actions implemented at contaminated sites is the following: 

• definition of site boundaries and owners 

• description of main features and prevailing pollution problems 

• definition and implementation of emergency actions when needed 

• definition and implementation of site characterization plan 

• definition of remediation and environmental restoration plan 

• planning of safety actions in order to protect site workers and residents 

• implementation of health monitoring programs, when needed, in order to track the extent and trend of 

past exposures 

• plan of technical, professional, institutional and occupational requirements 

• plan of financial requirements 

All projects for investigation and remediation must be approved by the competent local or national 

authority. 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

In situ and on site methods are in principle encouraged together with the reuse of off-site treated soils. 

Solutions that reduce long term control and monitoring needs are privileged. 

As a general comment, one and a-half experience with the new legislation has proved a positive 

stimulation in remediation initiatives; nevertheless, some limitation in the ability to force present site 

owners to take care of pollution generated by past activities at the same site, is recorded. Furthermore 

restrictive quality criteria for soil, especially for the case of materials excavated and exported from the 

polluted site, limit the number of cleanup and reuse options. As a consequence of the new national 

legislation, regions in the north industrial areas of the country, if on one side are experiencing an increase 

in actions aimed at restoring contaminated sites, on the other side are recording some percentage increase 

of containment and soil dumping solutions with respect to practices used under former regional laws. 

Several demonstrated and emerging technologies are being applied for cleanup of soil and groundwater. 

On the basis of a preliminary screening within major engineering companies and most active regions, 

static and hydraulic containment account for more than 70% of remedial techniques applied. Soil vapor 

extraction and soil venting, for cleanup of volatiles in the unsaturated zone, play a major role with 

approximately 40% of techniques sometimes applied jointly with hydraulic containment of contaminated 

aquifers. Consolidated or innovative on site techniques are also experienced in some cases. Off site 

technologies are quite limited because of legal restrictions on the exportation, transportation, processing 

and reuse of polluted soil. 

4. RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS 

There is no specific national program for technology development. Nevertheless research activities are 

being carried out by academic and research institutions under sponsorship of the Ministry for Scientific 

and Technological Research, the Ministry for the Environment, the National Agency for the 

Environmental Protection, the EU Commission and the national oil industry. 

A research and development laboratory has been recently (2001) established at the ACNA industrial 

contaminated 'site of national interest' as part of its rehabilitation program. The laboratory, mostly funded 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

219 

by the government and under agreement with local authorities, will be managed by an academic 

consortium for environmental chemistry. Remediation projects with biological and chemical technologies 

will be carried out by several research units. Following the starting period, the laboratory will become a 

national “Center of Excellence” for further research and development of remediation technologies and a 

national reference in this field. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

220 

JAPAN 

In recent years, there has been a very marked increase in the number of cases of identified soil 

contamination due to hazardous substances in Japan. Fears of damage to human health have been 

growing, as have social demands for the establishment of measures against soil contamination. Based on 

such a situation, in order to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the Japanese citizens, the Soil 

Pollution Control Bill was approved by the Cabinet on February 15, 2002 and submitted to the 154th

ordinary session of the Diet for deliberation. The Soil Pollution Control Bill stipulates the execution of 

soil investigations to identify and characterize soil contamination and control measures against soil 

contamination to prevent damage to human health due to soil contamination. 

1. BACKGROUND 

Once soil is contaminated by hazardous substances, there is the possibility that adverse effects on human 

health will occur due to direct intake of the contaminated soil or drinking of the groundwater containing 

the hazardous substances eluted from the contaminated soil. Soil contamination caused by heavy metals 

and volatile organic compounds has been uncovered with the redevelopment of former factory sites in 

recent years, although there were few cases of such soil contamination identified heretofore. In particular, 

the number of cases of identified soil contamination due to hazardous substances has increased 

remarkably in Japan, and a large number of cases of newly identified types of soil contamination has been 

reported in the last several years. 

Soil contamination by hazardous substances is liable to cause adverse effects on human health if the 

contamination is left untreated. In order to prevent groundwater pollution and clean up contaminated 

groundwater, a prohibition against underground infiltration treatment and purification control measures 

based on the Water Pollution Control Law have been taken; however, there are no laws regarding control 

measures against soil pollution in Japan. The fears of damage to human health have increased, and the 

social demands for the establishment of measures against soil contamination have been strengthened. 

Based on this situation, the Ministry of Environment organized the “Committee for Institutionalization of 

Soil Pollution Control,” which consists of economists, legal scholars, citizens, representatives from 

industry, chemists, toxicologists and environmental engineers, in December 2000. The Committee 

subsequently examined and considered the institutionalization of various soil pollution control measures 

and summarized their findings in an interim report in September 2001. In response to the interim report, 

the Minister of Environment asked the Central Environmental Council to develop a system for future soil 

environmental protection measures in October 2001. The Central Environmental Council established a 

subcommittee for deliberation into this matter. The subcommittee held six hearings on a future system for 

soil environmental protection measures, and its final report was issued on January 25, 2002 through a 

public comment procedure. The Ministry of Environment drafted the Soil Pollution Control Bill on the 

basis of the final report and submitted it to the current ordinary session of the Diet. 

2. OBJECTIVES 

In order to protect the health of citizens, the soil pollution control measures, which stipulate investigations 

to identify and characterize soil contamination and control measures to prevent damage to human health 

due to soil contamination, should be implemented. The basic aims of the soil pollution control measures 

are the control of the dispersion of the soil contamination that has already occurred as well as the control 

of the occurrence of new soil contamination caused by the discharge of pollutants. 

To date, a number of measures have already been taken by the Japanese government. As a control 

measure to prevent the occurrence of new soil contamination by the discharge of pollutants, the 

prohibition against underground infiltration treatment of effluents containing hazardous substances and 

the regulation of effluents by effluent standards set for factories based on the Water Pollution Control 

Law have been taken. Water purification control measures are also prescribed by the Water Pollution 

Control Law. In addition, regulatory measures for the appropriate treatment of waste are prescribed by the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

221 

Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law, and regulations against soot and smoke emission from 

factories are mandated by the Air Pollution Control Law. Furthermore, the Law Concerning Special 

Measures against Dioxins regulates the emission of dioxins. 

Hence to some extent it is believed that institutionalization of regulatory measures has already been done 

for the control of the new occurrence of soil contamination that originates from the emission of the 

pollutants associated with the production activities described above. However, sufficient 

institutionalization has not been carried out for the control of the dispersion of the soil contamination that 

has already occurred. Therefore, it is believed that institutionalizing regulations establishing the 

responsibility and procedures for the soil surveys and measures regarding the soil contamination that has 

already occurred will prevent the dispersion of soil contamination. The following sections provide an 

outline of the contents of the proposed bill.

3. INVESTIGATION OF SOIL CONTAMINATION 

The landowners shall have the responsibility of carrying out the soil examinations because they hold the 

title to the land and the rights to make changes in the land like the digging that needs to be done to 

perform the surveys, and they also have the responsibility for the condition of the land. The landowners 

should perform surveys of land that has the possibility of soil contamination due to the reasons given 

below. Here, landowners are defined as the existing landowner, occupying person (e.g. tenant) or 

manager (e.g. bankruptcy receiver). 

 

• Examination of land that was the site of a factory, including a specified facility where 

operations were halted by law (the Water Pollution Control Law defines a specified facility as 

one where hazardous substances are produced, used, or treated): The landowner of land that was 

the former site of a factory, including any specified facility where operations were prohibited, shall 

request the surveying organization designated by the Minister of Environment to investigate possible 

contamination of the land in question, and report the results to the governor of the prefecture. (Any 

land that the governor of the prefecture recognizes as having no possibility of causing damage to 

human health in terms of land use is eliminated as an object of survey). 

• Examination of land where there is the possibility that damage to human health may happen 

due to soil contamination: When the governor of a prefecture deems that the land has the possibility 

of causing human health damage due to soil contamination, he may require the landowner of the land 

in question to ask the designated survey organization to examine the land for soil contamination and 

to report the results. 

4. DESIGNATION OF CONTAMINATED LAND AND PREPARATION OF LEDGER OF 

DESIGNATED AREAS 

 

In case of the land not being in compliance with soil environmental standards, the governor of a 

prefecture shall officially designate the area as such and publicly declare the contaminated area of the 

land as the designated area. Prefectural governors shall prepare ledgers of the designated areas, and 

anyone may inspect these ledgers. 

5. PREVENTION MEASURES AGAINST DAMAGE TO HUMAN HEALTH BY SOIL 

CONTAMINATION 

A. Contamination Removal and Clean-up Measures 

Should the actual polluter be the target of the prevention measures against soil contamination, the 

following problems may arise. First, the polluter may have no title to the contaminated land and thus be 

unable to implement the preventive measures. Second, there is the risk that the soil contamination may be 

left as it is if it is impossible to identify the actual polluter of the soil or if the polluter no longer exists. On 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

222 

the other hand, the landowner has the responsibility for land that is dangerous to human health due to 

contamination. Furthermore, the landowner has the title to the land and can thus make changes in the land 

like the digging that needs to be done to clean up the contaminated soil; the landowner has the overall 

responsibility about the condition of the land. Should the governor of the prefecture deem that the land 

has the possibility of causing damage to human health due to soil contamination inside a designated area, 

he may order the landowner of the land in question to remove and clean-up the soil contamination.

The bill stipulates that the governor of a prefecture may order the polluter to remove and clean up the 

contamination in cases where the polluter is identified easily and the landowner agrees to make the 

polluter take necessary clean-up measures. Here, the regulation governing the removal and clean-up of 

contamination includes restricting entrance to the area by putting up signs prohibiting entry, laying top 

soil cover and pavement to prevent direct ingestion of contaminated soil, and containing and cleaning up 

groundwater pathways leading from the contaminated soil. The basic idea is that the environmental risk 

associated with soil contamination should be reduced by blocking the exposure to pathways that may 

cause adverse effects on human health due to soil contamination. 

B. Request for Payment of Costs Incurred for the Removal and Clean-up of Contaminated Soil 

Should the landowner need to take measures for the removal and clean-up of contaminated soil in 

response to the above-mentioned order from the prefectural governor, the landowner may request the 

polluter to bear the cost required for the removal and clean-up operation. 

C. Notification of Change in Form and Quality of the Land and Order for Making Changes in the 

Alteration Plan 

The parties who try to change the characteristic form and quality of the land inside the designated area 

shall be required to notify the governor of the prefecture of their intention and plan to do so. The governor 

of the prefecture may order the notifying parties to make alterations in the execution plan for changing the 

characteristic form and quality of the land should he deem that the execution method does not comply 

with the technical standards set by regulations. 

6. DESIGNATED SURVEY ORGANIZATION 

The Minister of Environment shall designate as authorized survey organizations those survey and analysis 

companies having appropriate technical ability in order to ensure the reliability of soil contamination 

surveys.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

223 

LATVIA 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

The Republic of Latvia has a huge amount of old contaminated sites inherited from the former Soviet 

System. The largest portion of these sites consists of former Soviet military sites, many of which need 

remediation activities. This makes the situation very specific as it is impossible to use the principle 

“polluter pays,” which step by step starts to be the main principle in a solution of current environmental 

problems in Latvia. There the polluter is well known but it will never pay, especially if it is former Soviet 

Army. It means that it is necessary to look for specific ways to solve this problem. This creates huge 

economical and juridical difficulties. From one side, the State does not have resources to pay for clean up 

activities. From other side, most landowners, which received their properties in the processes of 

denationalization and privatization, also do not have enough resources. They also ask for rules for dealing 

with pollution on their lands, which is polluted by others in previous times; but such rules are still not 

defined. A similar situation exists with international investors who are interested to run their business in 

some former military sites, such as naval bases, airfields, different reparation plans etc. This means that at 

present moment, the polluted former military sites are not only an environmental problem, but a 

hindrance to the growth of economics as it creates difficulties for investments. This is also a huge 

problem for the Latvian Armed Forces as our military units mainly are stationed in former Russian 

military bases. 

The goals of the ongoing and past activities in an area of polluted sites are to: 

• create economic and juridical mechanisms for solution of the historical pollution problem; 

• implement the principle “polluter pays” for current activities; and 

• form economic and juridical mechanisms for pollution prevention and pollution control. 

Site remediation predominantly will take place as part of the normal commercial redevelopment of land 

with funding considered at the level of individual site and not as part of specific overall national 

environmental improvement program. An inception could be the sites with a very high level of risk to 

human health and environment. Therefore the most urgent task is to set up a legislative base for 

contaminated sites and pollution prevention. Currently, the “Law on Pollution” is adopted by the Cabinet 

of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia and has been in force since July 2001. 

The purpose of this law is to prevent and reduce damage on human health, property, and the environment 

caused by pollution, to counteract consequences of such damage and to: 

• prevent pollution or, where that is not possible, to reduce emissions to air, water and soil arising from 

polluting activities; 

• prevent or, where that is not possible, to reduce the use of non-renewable natural resources and 

energy at polluting activities; 

• prevent or, where that is not possible, to minimise the generation of waste; 

• provide for inventory and registration of contaminated and potentially contaminated areas lying 

within the national territory; 

• determine the measures for investigation of contaminated and potentially contaminated areas and for 

remediation of contaminated areas; 

• identify the persons, who shall cover the investigation costs of contaminated and potentially 

contaminated areas and the remediation costs of contaminated areas. 

This law determines the requirements on the operator concerning pollution prevention and control and a 

procedure for pollution prevention and control, including, inter alia: 

• requirements for start-up, operation and cessation of polluting activities; 

• permitting conditions for polluting activities and water use, and a notification procedure for those 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

224 

polluting activities, which are not subject to authorisation; 

• a procedure for laying down environmental quality standards; 

• a procedure for laying down emission limit values for certain substances, conditions on polluting 

activities and other restrictions on the operation of polluting activities; 

• a procedure for inventory, registration, investigation, and remediation of contaminated areas; 

• conditions on supervision, control and monitoring of polluting activities and a public information 

procedure. 

This law applies also to certain mobile sources, identified by the Cabinet of Ministers. Activities 

involving radioactive substances, nuclear waste, sources of ionising radiation, and genetically modified 

organisms are regulated by other legislation. The Regional Environmental Boards (under the MEPRD) 

carry out the monitoring and control of polluted territories except the military territories that are under the 

response of Ministry of Defence. 

Unfortunately, at present moment we have little time to see how the law “works”. About the effectiveness 

of the Law of Pollution and obtained experience and results the first presentation could be given at the 

beginning of the next year. 

But now I would like to return to contaminated sites by the Soviet Army. First of all, it is necessary to 

mention that currently the ecological assessment of former military sites has been done using a single set 

of methods. This has been done into the framework of Latvian-Norwegian cooperation project. The 

experts of the Latvian and Norwegian Geological Surveys assessed and investigated more then 600 

former Soviet military sites, 255 of which were incorporated in a special computerized database. The 

database contains all information collected during the studies of former military sites. 

The Latvian and Norwegian specialists developed criteria, based on which all sites have been subdivided 

into four groups: 

1st group – it is evident that site is polluted with hazardous substances and poisons that spread into the 

environment or the site is contaminated with explosives that all together could cause essential threat to 

human life and to the environment, detailed investigations and clean-up activities are urgent; 

2nd group – there is only some information about pollution of the site with hazardous substances that 

could cause threat to human life and to the environment. Further site investigations are required. 

3rd group – pollution of site is insignificant and the possibility of migration of hazardous substances also 

is insignificant. Site investigations are required only in case of change of land use; 

4th

 group – no evidence of pollution and hazardous materials. Further site investigations are not required. 

According to the mentioned criteria 255 main former military sites were assessed and result was 

following: 

1st group – 14 sites: 

2nd group – 17 sites; 

3rd group – 62 sites; 

4th group – 171 sites. 

The most dangerous for human health and the environment is 1st group that consists of 7 former rocket 

bases, 2 big fuel stations, 1 very large bombing range, 1 ammunition storage site, 1 airfield, 1 tank 

reparation plant, and 1 submarine base in former Liepaja Naval Base. 

Petroleum pollution of the soil was found to be the most widespread of all the problems resulting from the 

Soviet Army’s activities. The most polluted petroleum areas were found in places where fuel and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

225 

lubricants were pumped, stored, and transported as well as in the sites where transport and combat 

materials were washed (especially after accidental spills). Almost in all detailed investigated fuel storage 

sites free phase oil has been found. 

Unexploded ordnance in former bombing ranges and ammunition storage sites (especially if explosives 

are deep in soil) is another very serious problem. 

Detailed pollution investigations are carried out only at some of military sites, and have mainly been done 

with assistance of our donor countries (Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Canada as well as the USA and 

Sweden). 

Up until now, clean-up activities have been carried out only in some of the most harmful sites. Mainly, 

those are pilot projects with the purpose of finding the best clean-up technologies and preventing the 

spread of hazardous substances to drinking water reservoirs and ambient surface water bodies. 

The Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional 

development have incorporated environmentally sound approaches in practice of military training. In 

these undertakings, very important support is being received on a USA and Swedish initiated project – so 

named the Environmental security project. The main purpose of this project is to: 

• strengthen the cooperation and coordination between military and civilian organizations; and 

• train military personnel in environmental management to prevent further degradation. 

In the framework of this project, the Latvian, U.S., and Swedish military and environment officials agreed 

to cooperate to develop the Environmental Base management Plan for Adazi Military Training Base. The 

management plan served as a pilot project, and during the project period they: 

• established objectives and developed procedures to achieve sound environmental management; 

• determined the level of environmental training necessary for personnel at various stages of command; 

• set priorities and monitored clean-up activities that must take place in order to ensure the continued 

operations of the base; and 

• initiated activities aimed at preventing further environmental damage or pollution, wastewater 

treatment, hazardous waste management, land management for control of erosion and protection of 

rare and endangered species. 

Also I would like to mention Liepaja Naval Base Project. Liepaja was the biggest Soviet Navy Base in the 

Baltic Sea. Now this former base is being transformed into a commercial port. The Special Economic 

Zone is established in the territory of former base. 

From the beginning, the Liepaja project was a part of Phase 2 of the NATO/CCMS Pilot Study on 

Environmental aspects of Reusing Former Military Lands. Recently, the project was transformed into 

partnership project between Canadian public-private sector consortium, the City Council of Liepaja, 

Liepaja Special Economic Zone and the Latvian Government to share information on managing the 

redevelopment of large former military sites. The Canadian side the project was financed by the Canadian 

International Development agency. 

The main objective of this project is was to work out the comprehensive strategy for the long-term 

cleanup and marketing of the Navy Base District. The main approaches used in the Republic of Latvia for 

solution of the problem of contaminated sites are to: 

• use a co-financing approach for funding necessary investigation and clean-up activities (state, 

municipality, international donor, and private means), 

• make assessment of pollution (common and in some cases also very detailed) of former military sites, 

• organize training for Latvian specialists (including military personnel), 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

226 

• get as much assistance as possible from international organizations and from bilateral cooperation 

with main donor countries, 

• carry out some clean-up pilot projects at the most significant harmful sites, and 

• negotiate with landowners, investors etc. in every concrete case about terms of clean-up activities 

(clean-up standards, budgeting, land tax reductions etc. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

227 

LITHUANIA 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2001. 

1. INTRODUCTION 

The Republic of Lithuania is a small country on the Baltic Sea. It occupies an area of 65.600 km, with a 

population of 3.7 million, or 56 people per sq. km. The five largest Lithuanian cities are: 

• Vilnius (600,000 people), 

• Kaunas (400,000 people), 

• Klaipeda (200,000 people), 

• Šiauliai (150,000 people), and 

• Panevežys (130,000 people). 

These cities are the largest industrial centres and, at the same time, the main polluters of soil and 

groundwater. Along with these industrial centres, Mazeikiai Oil Refinery, Akmene Cement Plant, Jonava 

and Kedainiai Fertiliser Plants, as well as road and railway transport and agricultural enterprises are 

among most significant polluters. Many contaminated sites were left in former Soviet military bases. In 

rural settlements, there are territories contaminated with agrochemicals, oil products, or simply waste. 

2. SOIL CONTAMINATION AND ECONOMY 

It should be noted that the extent of pollution caused by industry and agriculture has decreased 

considerably since 1990, because after the fall of the Soviet Empire, unilateral economic links orientated 

towards the East were disrupted. This exerted a negative effect upon the development of Lithuanian 

economy. Today the government of the Republic of Lithuania, businessmen, and industrialists attempt to 

develop economic links in all directions, with Western countries in particular. However, this process is 

difficult, and it will take much time until Lithuanian economy has recovered. The volume of production 

has decreased several times. Therefore current soil, water, and air pollution levels are considerably lower. 

The current poor economic condition of Lithuanian industry and agriculture is clearly good for reducing 

the risk of soil pollution. Decreased level of diffuse soil pollution from agriculture is a good example of 

the current situation. The amount of fertilisers and pesticides used in agriculture is now about 10 times 

less as compared with the figures of 1986-1989 (see Figure 1 and 2). Farmers and communities are still 

buying some mineral fertilisers, but the majority is limiting use to minimum application rates. 

Figure 1: Total Usage of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilisers in Lithuania (1986-1996) 

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Thousands tons of pure 

ingredient

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Nitrogen fertilisers

Potassium fertilisers

Phosphorus fertilisers
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

228 

Following the re-establishment of independence in Lithuania and the collapse of the collective farm 

system, levels of production and the use of pesticides decreased significantly. Currently only the most 

profitable farms are making extensive use of pesticides since these are the only enterprises that can afford 

both the spray products and good (often reconditioned) spraying equipment. Nonetheless the rates of 

pesticide application remain limited by high price so there is a tendency towards economic and rational 

use. This is particularly so with herbicides since manual labour is very cheap and hand-weeding of crops 

is very common. 

Average pesticide use is less than 2 kg active ingredient per hectare which is very low compared to some 

EU Member States (e.g., The Netherlands) and much lower than levels of use during the Soviet period. 

However, the use of pesticides is now gradually increasing again, notably herbicides (Figure 2). 

Figure 2: Total Usage of Various Pesticides in Lithuania 

Current situation: More rationale application, more effective storage, handling, spraying etc., mainly due 

to rather high prices of agrochemicals, resulted not only in decreased diffuse soil pollution, but also 

reduced the probability of cases when soils are contaminated heavily. Earlier quite often it was resulted 

by poor storage and handling of unused agrochemicals (especially pesticides) much of which was stored 

in leaking containers or else discarded in the forest or village dump. 

Of course the improving economic situation will result in increase of mineral fertiliser and pesticide 

application. The same tendency could be traced in industry. 

3. INFORMATION ABOUT CONTAMINATED SITES 

Information about contaminated sites in Lithuania is not very exhaustive. The best situation concerns 

contaminated sites in former Soviet military bases. A detailed investigation was carried according to the 

project “Inventory of Damage and Cost Estimate of the Remediation of Former Military Sites in 

Lithuania” financed by the PHARE Programme of the European Community. The Project was completed 

at the beginning of 1995. The results achieved are useful for the Ministry of Environmental Protection 

when planning future remediation activities. During the investigation, 275 Military bases of the former 

Soviet Union were registered. They occupied more than 1% of the country’s territory. As the survey 

shows, the number of military units located in Lithuania totaled 421. The size of Military bases greatly 

varies - from less than 100 m2

 (a workshop) to almost 14 000 ha (forestry). Judging by the number of 

pollution and environmental damage cases registered in the military bases (see Table 1), pollution with oil 

products (21% of military bases) and wastes (17% of military bases) prevail, alongside with the damage 

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

Tons 

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Insekticides

Fungicides

Herbicides

Retardants

Defoliants
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

229 

to landscape and soil (16% and 29%, respectively). Soil pollution with heavy metals, rocket propellant, 

cases of radioactivity also were stated. 

Table 1: Number of Pollution and Environmental Damage Cases Registered in the Territories of Former 

Military Bases 

Type of the environmental damage Number of cases Total territory 

 (ha) 

Distribution according 

to the damage type 

 (%) 

Oil products 566 399 20 

Mechanical soil damage 778 11137 29 

Damage to landscape 438 7140 16 

Wastes 478 1288 17 

Damage to forest 249 3293 9 

Bacteriological/biological pollution 137 14 5 

Hazardous chemicals 56 p/p* 2 

Radioactivity 9 p/p 0,2 

Rocket propellant 20 p/p 1 

Explosives 12 p/p 1 

*p/p - point-source pollution 

Having analysed the results of the inventory performed at military areas, 10 bases were selected for a 

detailed investigation. Geological-hydrological and environment pollution investigations were conducted 

on a broad scale. The results of the investigations were submitted in 25 volumes in Lithuanian and 

English. It was also calculated that cleaning of the contaminated military sites to the permitted 

contamination levels requires huge funds–about 730 million USD. 

Many contaminated sites connected with transport and transport accidents - including roadsides polluted 

by road and railway transport, bus/railway station, petrol pump territories, etc. Many polluted territories 

are situated near Klaipeda (the Lithuanian port), through which up to 10 million tons of oil and oil 

products are carried every year. The territory of Oil Terminal Company in Klaipeda is considerably 

polluted. There are more than 110,000 cubic meters of soil and ground with oil levels reaching 

10 000 ppm. 

Another dangerous source–storage places, dumps of old pesticides and other agrochemicals. In the 954 

storages of the country, about 2,200 tons of pesticides that are unsuitable and prohibited from using are 

accumulated. These pesticides must be immediately utilised because cases of fire are frequent in such 

storages. There are large quantities of contaminated ground in the territories of these storages. 

Investigation and cleaning of these territories also requires considerable investment. 

An inventory of Lithuanian landfills and other waste territories was also carried out in 1994. No 

comprehensive information still concerning industrial contaminated sites 

Cleaning of contaminated ground to a larger extent has been started in Lithuania just in 1995. The largest 

soil bioremediation site is located near the city of Klaipeda. Costs for remediation of 1 m3 of 

contaminated soil is about 60-70 USD. Potential polluters (plants, enterprises, agrocompanies, etc.) are 

forced to carry out investigations of pollution parameters (composition, concentration, total area, 

migration to groundwater) and, if necessary, to plan soil remediation and utilisation activities. Mainly ex 

situ bioremediation or civil engineering based methods (excavation/disposal, dilution) are used. 

Phytoremediation is also being applied. Practically no innovative chemical or physical process based 

techniques are being used in Lithuania, mainly because of high treatment costs. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

230 

4. STRATEGY AND POLICIES 

Although the main environmental priorities in Lithuania have been assigned to water and atmosphere 

protection, at present more and more attention is given to soil protection issues. One of the priorities 

included into Lithuanian Environmental Strategy (approved in the Parliament on 25 September 1996) is 

soil quality improvement and sufficient formation of land use structure. 

In Environmental Status Review of the Strategy, it has been stated that soil and upper ground layer is 

most heavily contaminated in cities, especially in industrial areas, near highways, fly-overs and also in 

former military areas. The main goals for soil protection from pollution are as follows: 

• reduction of soil pollution rising from use of manure, artificial fertilisers and other agricultural 

chemicals (plant protection products); 

• reduction of soil pollution with oil products; 

• reduction of soil pollution with heavy metals (especially in cities and industrial areas) 

Besides, soil protection issues have been included in such environmental protection sector as reduction of 

ground water pollution. 

In the Action Programme of the Strategy, the following activities concerning soil pollution have been 

indicated: 

• preparation of Draft Soil Protection Law; 

• preparation of soil quality and monitoring standards and norms; 

• implementation of environmental sound means of fertilising and use of plant protection products; 

• preparation of Draft Law on Liability for Past Environmental Damage (legislation for management of 

contaminated sites renaturalisation); 

• compilation of inventory of polluted areas, including the former Soviet military sites, and 

development of cleanup and renaturalisation programmes; 

• creation of polluted sites data base and monitoring plans. 

The main activity concerning soil protection included in Action Program of the Strategy is the Draft Soil 

Protection Law. This draft was prepared and presented to Government in July 1998. Following 

obligations for land (soil) users has been stated in the draft law: 

• to take care of soil fertility; 

• to take care of fertile layer of the soil while carrying-out earthworks (such as construction, building, 

exploitation of mineral resources quarries, etc.) and use this layer for damaged soil recultivation; 

• to implement preservative measures for soil erosion prevention; 

• to use manure, artificial fertilisers and plant protection products strictly according established 

requirements; 

• to prevent pollution of soil with waste, waste waters, radioactive, biological, poisoning and other 

substances harmful for human health and environment; 

• to present all obligatory information on soil quality and use conditions for control institutions; 

• to inform control institutions in case of soil pollution (accidental spills) and to take measures for 

cleanup of soil and stop migration of pollutants to other environmental components (ground and 

surface water, etc.). 

Draft Soil Protection Law is prepared like framework, and corresponding regulations, rules and 

recommendations are necessary for its implementation (some of them are already in force or under 

preparation). The Parliament of Lithuania decided to include provisions of Draft Soil Protection Law into 

the Law on Land but until now such decision is not implemented. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

231 

Another important document concerning contaminated sites is Lithuanian Waste Management Law (has 

come into force since 1 July, 1998). A new Lithuanian Waste Management Strategy is also being 

discussed. 

Other normative documents concerning soil and ground quality are: 

1. Hazardous Substances: Maximum Permitted and Temporary Permitted Concentrations in Soil. 

Hygiene Norm - HN 60-1996. 

2. Recommendations for Evaluation of Soil Chemical Contamination, 1997. 

3. The Maximum Permitted Level of Oil Products in the Upper Lithosphere (Ground) Layer - LAND 

(Lithuanian Environmental Normative Document) 12-1996. 

4. The Regulations of Sewage Sludge Application, LAND 20-1996. 

Standards, defining soil quality, sampling procedures, sewage sludge application on land (on the basis of 

LAND 20-1996) are in the nearest future plans. All the above-mentioned Lithuanian environmental 

documents are expected to be fully harmonised with EU regulations, directives and standards. 

5. CONCLUSIONS 

There is lack of comprehensive information about contaminated industrial sites. Inventory studies also 

should be done of such potential sources of soil pollution as oil tanks, pesticide, fertiliser storages, sewage 

sludge filtration fields, territories of previous accidents related with hazardous substances, etc. As a rule 

soil and even ground water around such territories is heavily contaminated. The Lithuanian Geological 

Survey prepared a database and started an inventory of contaminated areas and potential point sources of 

contamination. Because of Lithuania’s poor economy, soil remediation activities are not financed on state 

scale. No innovative process based techniques are being applied in Lithuania, mainly because of high 

treatment costs.
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

232 

THE NETHERLANDS 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

The Netherlands policy on contaminated land has been focused on the restoration to multifunctionality up 

to 1998. The application of the multifunctionality approach to the estimated 110,000 seriously 

contaminated sites would have incurred costs of around € 50 billion. The Netherlands is now spending 

about € 0.5 billion per annum, which equals the sum that was initially thought to be sufficient to resolve 

the entire problem. But at this speed it would take about 100 years to end the operation. 

In the meantime soil contamination would hamper construction and redevelopment essential to economic 

and social development, and dispersal of contaminants in the groundwater keeps on making the problem 

even bigger. For this reason another policy has been introduced. This policy development is known by its 

acronym BEVER. 

The new approach abandons the strict requirement for contamination to be removed to the maximum 

extent, and instead permits clean-up on the basis of suitability for use. At the same time government 

proposed other changes to soil protection legislation, including greater devolution of responsibility for 

clean-up to local authorities and the creation of more stimulating instruments. 

Basically the policy has switched from a sectoral to an integrated approach. This means that the market 

has to play a more prominent role and take more of the financial burden. 

Soil contamination should not only be treated as an environmental problem. The soil contamination 

policy should also be geared to other social activities such as spatial planning and social and economic 

development and vice versa. 

The strategy is: 

• to protect clean soil 

• to optimise use of contaminated soil 

• to improve the quality of contaminated soil where necessary 

• to monitor soil quality 

This new approach will be paired to stimulation of the development and application of new technology 

and to a more cost-effective organisation of the actual clean-up. These measures taken together are 

expected to cut costs by 30-50%. 

In this approach remediation is part of a comprehensive policy regarding soil contamination. Prevention, 

land use, treatment of excavated soil, reuse of excavated soil (for example as building material), 

monitoring of soil quality and remediation have to be geared to each other in a more sophisticated 

manner. This “internal” integration is being promoted under the concept of “active” soil management. 

To stimulate market investment a different approach to government funding is announced. The taxpayers’ 

money will be used in such a way that it evokes private investment. This will be done by improving the 

existing financial instruments and by the creation of a private sector contaminated land fund. The legal 

instruments will be made more effective. 

The discretion of provinces and municipalities will be further enlarged to create the flexibility, which is 

needed to initiate and stimulate the measures that are best suited to the local situation (tailor made 

solutions). 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

233 

With these measures Dutch government wants to achieve ambitious objects: 

• Within 25 years all sites should be made suitable for use and further dispersal stopped. That means 

that each year almost four times as much sites will have to be remediated as is the case now. 

• Presuming that the costs will be reduced with 30-50%, this requires a duplication of the total annual 

expenditure on soil remediation. 

• In order to monitor the results of these efforts and to make information on soil quality accessible to 

the general public (for example potential buyers) and to authorities (for example planning authorities) 

we want to have a system of soil quality maps covering the whole country in 2005. 

In 1999 a lot of attention is paid to the introduction and implementation of the new approach. 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

Based on the Soil Protection Act there are two driving forces to investigate soil quality: 

• Anyone intending to excavate and to move soil for building activities, has to report the quality of the 

soil to provincial authorities; 

• Companies who don’t want to investigate the soil quality on a voluntary basis might be obliged to 

do so. 

Based on these activities a lot of seriously contaminated sites have been identified. These numbers have 

increased enormously since the first case at Lekkerkerk. 

Table 1: Inventory of sites 

Year Seriously contaminated sites Estimated costs (€) 

1980 350 0.5 billion 

1986 1,600 3 billion 

1999 110,000 15-25 billion* 

* based on new policy 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS 

In the new policy the remediation goal is “Function-oriented and cost-effective remediation”. The Cabinet 

chose this new remediation goal in its standpoint on the renewal of the soil remediation policy of June 

1997. The new remediation goal has been worked out in the report, “From funnel to sieve”. Here the 

summary of this report is mentioned. 

Delineation 

The new remediation goal applies to serious soil contamination caused before 1987. 

The new goal does not affect the need for remediation and the time at which it must take place. For the 

decision-making on 'need' and 'time' the intervention values and the urgency system remain unaltered in 

effect. Finally, the new remediation goal only applies to contaminated terrestrial soils, not to aquatic 

sediments. 

Strategy 

The starting-point in the new Consideration Process for the remediation goal is an integral approach to 

the whole case of soil contamination. The approach differs for the top soil and the subsoil. In the approach 

to the top soil, a difference is made according to the type of soil use. The prevention of contact with the 

contamination is all-important. In the approach to the subsoil it is a question of removing contaminating 

substances. In this connection, the costs also determine the result to be achieved. The end result must lead 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

234 

to as limited as possible care about residual contamination. At calibration times the remediator checks 

whether the desired remediation result is being obtained. 

Routes 

There are three routes for obtaining an approved remediation plan: 

• via a standard approach per case or cluster of cases. By this means the decision-making may be 

simpler; 

• via custom-made work per case or cluster of cases. This is obvious if the standard approach offers no 

solutions. 

• via custom-made work per area. This variant is possible in exceptional cases. The remediation goal is 

tailed to special features of an area. 

The motto here is: 'standard approach if possible, custom work if necessary'. 

The Top Soil 

In the standard approach for the top soil one produces a living layer. The thickness and the quality of this 

are dependent on the type of soil use. For two types of soil use soil cultivation values are determined for 

substances which occur in quantity. These apply as a back remediation value when removing soil and as a 

quality requirement for soil to be applied. The standard approach results in a limited care scope. In special 

situations custom work per case is possible with good motives. Determining the remediation goal for the 

type of soil use, agriculture and nature, is always custom work per case. The authorised authority 

exceptionally determines a special area result for specific areas. This may be lower or higher than the soil 

cultivation values. Custom work per area will come about through a democratic procedure. 

The Subsoil 

The standard approach for the subsoil is aimed at removing contaminating substances to the level of the 

so-called 'stable end situation'. This level is dependent on the soil structure and the substances present. 

One must reach the stable end situation per case in 30 years maximum. The starting-point is as complete 

as removal as possible of the source of contamination, cost-effective removal of the 'plume' and the 

combating of further spread. In the remediation period one may - under certain circumstances use the soil 

as a reactor vessel, without source and plume too. Calibration times are built in in order to be able to 

investigate the extent to which one is on the road towards the stable end situation and to be able to adjust 

if necessary. 

Here too, custom work per case or cluster of cases is possible and - in exceptional cases - custom work 

per area. 

Care 

In function-oriented and cost-effective remediation, residual contamination remains in the soil in many 

cases. Therefore, 'care' is required. This care may consist of: 

• registration (establishment) 

• monitoring (measuring); 

• after-care (active measures). 

The burden of the care increases as less far-reaching remediation measures are taken. A firm component 

of the remediation plan is a care plan. This contains the care measures the remediator takes. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

235 

Responsibility 

The causer of the pollution or the owner of the location is responsible for the remediation measures and 

the associated costs. 

After the remediation the remediator or the owner remains responsible for carrying out the care measures. 

If at a location a change to a more sensitive type of soil use takes place whereby extra remediation is 

necessary, the costs of this are charged to the person initiating the change in the soil use. 

Reduction in Costs 

The previous Cabinet accepted that with a new consideration method for a remediation goal a savings in 

costs of 35-50 per cent can be made. We have examined the possible savings in more detail. From this it 

appears that this assumption was correct. We presume that the cost reduction can be attained as follows: 

• approximately 30 per cent by the new standard approach; 

• approximately 10 per cent by cleaning and draining off less contaminated groundwater; 

• approximately 5 per cent by custom work per area. 

Monitoring will show the extent to which the cost reduction will be achieved. 

Decision-Taking 

The Consideration Process for the new remediation goal is a good opportunity for the proper authority to 

streamline the assessment of the plans and the execution. 

The Law on Environmental Control provides for various methods of granting licences 'in a sly way'. In 

analogy to this, we suggest surveying the following possibilities: 

The proper authority and interested parties will make agreements on the approach to more or less 

remediation cases. Testing of individual cases on main lines alone thereby becomes possible more easily; 

making more use of a differentiated system of arrangements whereby types of standard approach and 

cases of custom work can be assessed in a proper manner. 

The effectiveness and the efficiency of the soil remediation operation should thereby be assisted. 

Quality 

The proper authority must check on quality more so than formerly in all stages of execution. The 

guarantee of this will therefore become even more important for all the parties involved. The proper 

authority must also check the quality in the field. 

4. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION 

Knowledge is essential for the implementation of policy. In conjunction with the introduction 

of new policy R&D has been started. R&D on sustainable land management is managed by 

the Centre for soil quality management and knowledge transfer, SKB. The SKB is dedicated 

to the quality of the soil from the point of view of controlled risks for man and the 

environment, without losing track of the financial aspect. In other words, the SKB wants to 

contribute to more efficient methods for soil remediation and to the development of soil 

protection and soil management as instruments for preventing (further) soil contamination. 

The SKB is a co-operative body involving all parties interested in soil management, i.e. trade 

and industry as well as the authorities. Initially, the activities will be set up for a period of four 

years (1999-2002), with a possible continuation until 2009. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

236 

The mission of SKB is: “To develop and to disseminate knowledge about the functional and 

cost-effective realisation of a soil quality appropriate to the desired use”. The mission 

perfectly matches the new Dutch government policy on soil remediation, i.e. functional 

remediation and cost-effective contaminant removal. (BEVER). 

A. R&D Themes 

The SKB anticipates initiatives in the following areas of attention: 

Urban Development and Restructuring 

Integration of the new development and the restructuring of urban centres in combination with 

the remediation of contaminated locations, such as former (gas) works sites. 

Restructuring Natural Areas 

Nature development and re-designation of agricultural areas in combination with the 

remediation of former dump sites and contaminated dredging sludge.

Water Systems Management 

Integrating the management of surface water and deep groundwater with the quality of the 

soil, which consists of earth and groundwater.

Remediation of Existing Contaminated Locations 

Developing cost effective remediation strategies and methods for contaminated locations, in 

which risk assessment, environmental merit, weighing alternatives and in situ methods are 

important issues. 

Maintenance and Soil Management 

Risk assessment, management and monitoring of residual (mobile) contaminants will receive 

increasing attention because it will often be impossible to fully remove the contamination. 

Moreover, measures will have to be taken to prevent new contamination. 

B. Duration of SKB 

Initially, the activities will be set up for a period of four years (1999-2002), with a possible 

continuation until 2009. 

C. Budget of SKB 

A demand-driven programme also implies the joint financing of the activities by all interested 

parties. The annual costs of the SKB, estimated at € 6.6 million are therefore borne by the 

government via an ICES contribution (€ 4.5 million) and by public/private market parties (€ 2 

million)]. ICES is an instrument if the government to strengthen the knowledge infrastructure. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

237 

5. CONCLUSIONS 

The Netherlands policy has been changed drastically in 1997. The introduction and implementation of the 

new approach is on full swing. In 1999 the new remediation goal, “Function-oriented and cost-effective 

remediation” has been defined. The basic approach is that the quality of the topsoil should fit in the 

function of the soil, the subsoil is only remediated if there is a risk by mobile contaminants. 

The SKB, a centre for knowledge development and transfer is stimulating the introduction of the new 

approach and the knowledge development. The SKB started in 1999 and there are now (September 2001) 

about 80 ongoing projects. 

Addresses: 

Policy 

Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment 

Site: www.vrom.nl

R&D 

Centre for Soil Quality Management and Knowledge Transfer 

E-mail: skb@cur.nl 

Site: www.bodembreed.nl
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

238 

NORWAY 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2001. 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

The Pollution Control Act from 1981 is the main law regulating clean up of contaminated land in 

Norway. The polluter pays principle forms an important basis of the Pollution Control Act. If the original 

polluter can no longer be identified or held responsible, the current land owner may be held liable for 

investigations and remedial actions. 

The Pollution Control Act gives the authorities a very strong legislative tool for clean up of contaminated 

land. Consequently, industrial companies may be held responsible for historic contamination which 

occured before they took over the site or on their property before contaminated soil was regulated (i.e., 

before Pollution Control Act). 

Norway has developed a system for risk assessment of contaminated land which is reported in SFT report 

99:06 “Guidelines on risk assessment of contaminated sites.” Generic criteria related to sensitive land use 

have been calculated and the model for this is documented in the report. The system involves a step by 

step approach where alternative and site spesific acceptance criteria can be generated and also allows 

qualitative methods. 

Two simple computer applications are available as excel spread sheet and on the internet at the following 

addresses: http://www.risiko-forurensetgrunn.ffi.no and http://www.miljoringen.no. This will also be 

available on SFTs home page http://www.sft.no. 

Registration of Contaminated Sites 

Contaminated land in Norway is considered as a significant source for contamination of rivers, lakes and 

fjords. The potential impact from industry, contaminated sediments and landfills on the marine 

environment is of greatest concern. In some fjords reduced intake of seafood is recommended, due to 

pollutants such as heavy metals, PCBs, PAHs or dioxins. 

The actual status shows that more than 3500 contaminated sites are now registered in Norway. About 

2100 of these sites are considered to have a potential for causing environmental problems. About 100 of 

these have been given high priority and investigations and remediation have been started. Additionally ca. 

500 sites need to be investigated. The remaining 1500 sites are considered not to represent environmental 

problems as long as they remain undisturbed (recent land use). Changed land use or construction work 

will lead to new assessments for these sites. 

The Norwegian government established new national goals for the clean up of contaminated land in 

October 1999: 

• The most seriously contaminated sites shall be cleaned by end of 2005 (about 100 sites). 

• Decisions on investigation and clean up on the secondly most contaminated sites by end of 2005 (500 

sites). 

Investigations and clean up will be carried out and paid for by privat and state owned companies as 

polluters and responsible parties according to the law. 

A GIS database was developed to keep track of all registered sites and any investigation or remedial 

action carried out at the different sites. This database is now being changed and designed for public use 

and will be available on internet by the end of next year. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

239 

ROMANIA 

Romania continues its effort for the transposition of EU legislation in the environmental sector and 

improves the institutional structures and legal tools. 

The main progresses, in the last period of time, September 2001 – May 2002, have been recorded in the 

legislative and administrative fields. 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

In order to prevent pollution of the environment, the regulatory framework changes continuously and new 

legislation has been issued. 

For law enforcement, The Ecological Guard has been created as a distinct structure of the Ministry of 

Waters and Environmental Protection. It acts at central and local level. 

Some of the most important regulatory acts are listed below: 

• Law no. 622/2001 for joining to the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and European 

Information and Observation of Environment Network (EIONET) 

• Law no. 544/2001 regarding the free access to the information of public interest 

• Governmental Decision no. 1167/2001 for the establishment of The Environmental Guard 

• Governmental Decision no. 96/2002 regarding the endowment of The Ecological Guard 

• Governmental Decision 1097/2001 for establishment of Inter-ministerial Committee for coordination 

of the integration of environmental protection within the sectoral policies and strategies at national 

level 

• Governmental Decision no. 1174/2001 for approval of the organizational structure and functioning of 

the Administration of the Environmental Fund 

• Ministerial Order no. 22740/2001 for approval of the Technical Instructions regarding the supervision 

of the Compliance Schedule and Environment Recovery Plan by the mining activities 

• Governmental Decision no. 118/2002 for approval of the National Action Plan for pollution reduction 

of the surface and ground waters caused by hazardous substances discharges 

• Governmental Decision no. 162/2002 regarding waste storage 

• Emergency Ordinance no. 34/2002 regarding prevention, reduction and integrated control of pollution 

(IPPC) 

• Permitting procedure from 2002 for activities having impact on environment 

• Ministerial Order no. 116/2002 for approval of the Methodology regarding the assessment of safety of 

dams and ponds that are storing industrial waste – NTHL-022 and NTHL-023 

• Ministerial Order 118/2002 for approval of the Permitting Procedure for Safe Operation of Dams, 

NTHL-032 

The Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection has developed an extensive Plan for harmonization 

with the EU legislation included within the National Plan for EU Accession, Chapter 22, Environmental 

Protection (www.mappm.ro). 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

The National Plan for Waste Management for 2001 has not been published yet. It is to be assumed that it 

will realize a more complete inventory of the waste deposits and characterize their potential impact on 

environment. 

Comparing to the previous statistics, it is expected that the number of identified contaminated sites will 

increase. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

240 

3. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM 

The National Research Plan, redrawn at the end of 2001, includes more environmental projects that touch 

rehabilitation technologies. 

The National Agency for Mineral Resources and Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection have 

issued technical norms for rehabilitation of contaminated sites due to the mining activities. 

Ministry of Industry and Resources, Ministry of Waters and Environmental Protection, Ministry of 

Education and Research and their related research institutes has developed certain programs for 

rehabilitation technologies.

4. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

There are not new remedial methods in use for cleaning up the contaminated soil and ground water. Even 

so, the most common methods have been applied on a small scale. 

Recently, the rehabilitation of soil and groundwater on a larger area starts to be developed on a site 

affected by tailing storage, close to Baia Mare City. The remedial method that is used consists in a 

combination of techniques: site isolation, impermeable and reactive permeable barriers. 

5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

The research and development activities continue to be carried out by the existing national institutes for 

environmental protection and certain universities. 

There is not any initiative regarding this field within the private sector. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

241 

SLOVENIA 

1. INTRODUCTION 

At previous Tour de Table presentations I have presented some major Slovenian environmental issues and 

the legislation that has been adopted in this area. Last year, Slovenia concluded EU negotiations on the 

environment, and thus closed the environment chapter. Of course, the Ministry of the Environment and 

Spatial Planning and the parliament continue to draw up and adopt many environment-related 

implementing regulations but the actual applicative activities related to the protection of the environment 

are minimal since there is practically no activity in certain sectors. 

This presentation aims to explain the issues related to contaminated Karst caves and the recording of 

industrial waste landfills. 

2. BRIEF SERVEY OF WASTE-CONTAMINATED CAVES 

Geologically, more than 70 per cent of Slovenia is of karstic character. The Karst world is distinguished 

by characteristic surface and underground formations created by the chemical effects of water on soluble 

rock material. Surface formations are mainly hollows; underground formations are mainly karstic caves. 

These phenomena are a consequence of the rock composition, i.e. calcite (calcium carbonate – CaCO3), 

which is poorly soluble in pure water. However in water containing dissolved CO2 with calcium 

carbonate produces the easily soluble calcium bicarbonate – Ca(HCO3)2. Because of chemical unbalance, 

calcite (CaCO3) is often deposited in the form of stalactites and sinter. About 70 per cent of Slovenia is 

karstic terrain, i.e. Alpine Karst, Karst highlands, Dinaric Karst and pre-Alpine Karst. Figure 1 shows 

karstic areas in Slovenia. 

One consequence of the large extent of karstic features in Slovenia are the karstic caves, whose number is 

approximately 6,700 according to the register of caves. Some of them are well-known around the world 

and attract tourists with their stalactites and other karst phenomena. The largest of all is Postojna cave 

with 19.4 km of tunnels, followed by Križna cave (8.2 km of tunnels), Planina cave (6.1 km of tunnels), 

Škocjan caves (5 km of tunnels), Vilenica, Tabor cave and Pekel. 

In the past, people and industry have used many of the caves, particularly the smaller and the shallower 

ones, as dumping places for waste of different types. Records show that 694 caves are contaminated with 

waste of some type. Unfortunately, some of them are still used for dumping waste and some are 

irreparably damaged or destroyed. 
Figure 1: Karst in Slovenia 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

243 

Figure 2: All caves in Slovenia from the register of caves

Figure 3: Contaminated and damaged caves according to the register of caves
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

244 

Figure 4: Caves contaminated with organic waste 

Figure 5: Caves recorded as active waste disposal sites, caves filled with waste, and caves that have been 

cleared 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

245 

Figure 6: Destroyed or mechanically damaged caves

Table 1: Types of waste that were or still are being dumped in karstic caves

Total contaminated or damaged caves 694 

No data on type of waste 109 

Cave is active waste disposal site 58 

Cave filled with waste 57 

Cave is destroyed (it no longer exists) 15 

Cave is damaged 12 

Cave is cleared up 2 

Mixed, mostly municipal waste 333 

Carrion 85 

Animal bones 31 

Human bones 48 (71) 

Faeces 6 

Waste of vegetable origin 25 

Building materials 15 

The types of waste are known, but the quantity of the dumped waste is unknown since no records on the 

duration of the dumping exist. 

Concern for the clear-up of the contaminated caves is negligible and the state is not investing sufficient 

funds to eliminate the consequences of contamination where this is still possible. In some cases local 

communities have been doing this but in the majority of cases the situation remains unchanged although 

the National Environmental Action Programme states that the priority programmes include the clear-up of 

obsolete landfills as well as the restoration of destroyed or damaged natural resources and areas. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

246 

3. KEEPING RECORDS OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE LANDFILLS 

Between 1998 and 2000, the regulator, i.e. the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, drew up 

the records of industrial waste landfills. It covered 27 locations of major industrial waste landfills, which 

are mainly located in the closest vicinity of industrial plants from which the waste originates. It has been 

established that 13 industrial waste landfills exist in these locations, which means that a landfill with one 

type of waste may be located in several places in the closest vicinity of industrial plants. One sector of 

industry thus used and still uses several locations for dumping the waste, and these locations are marked 

as one landfill if they only contain waste from one sector of industry. In drawing up the records, the 

following data has been taken into account: general data on the source of waste and the manager of the 

site, description of the site, waste management data, data on natural features of the location, data on the 

implemented technical measures. On the basis of the data, conclusions were drawn up containing priority 

assessments of the required clear-ups and an assessment of what legislative adjustments are needed with 

respect to the year the dumping was stopped. 

 

According to Slovenian legislation (Waste Disposal Rules, Official Gazette RS, no. 5/2000) waste must be 

classified by properties, i.e. into dangerous industrial waste or not dangerous or inert industrial waste. 

Table 2: The list of recorded industrial waste landfills on 27 locations. 

No. Waste generator Landfill designation 

1 Šoštanj coal-fired power station – old landfill of fly ash, slag and products of additive 

desulphurisation of flue gases 

2 Šoštanj coal-fired power station – new landfill of products of desulphurisation of flue 

gases 

3 Trbovlje coal-fired power station landfill of fly ash and slag 

4 Zagorje Mine – undergoing closure filling up the depression along the Hotedrščica 

stream 

5 SŽ Acroni d.o.o. –Javornik Javornik tailings disposal site 

6 SŽ Acroni d.o.o. – Bela Bela tailings disposal site 

7 Slovenian ironworks – Metal Ravne Ravne tailings disposal site 

8 Slovenian ironworks – Jeklo Štore Rehabilitation of Vrhe nad Štorami gravel pit 

9 TDR – Metalurgija d.d. Industrial waste landfill 

10 Mežica MPI d.o.o. mine Metallurgic slag and crushed artificial substance 

11 Talum d.d. Kidričevo – active fly ash landfill 

12 Talum d.d. Kidričevo – not active red silt landfill 

13 IMP Livar d.d. Suhi Most Polževo waste disposal site 

14 ETA d.d. Cerkno industrial waste landfill in Novaki 

15 Snaga d.o.o. public company Metava landfill of special waste 

16 Salonit Anhovo gradbeni materiali d.d. Landfill of waste asbestos and cement material 

17 LKI Lesonit d.d. wood waste landfill 

18 IGM Sava d.o.o. Stari Grad gravel pit 

19 Paloma d.o.o. industrial waste landfill 

20 Industrija Usnaj Vrhnika d.d. waste disposal site of Šmartno Rakovnik tannery 

21 Sugar factory – green waste waste disposal site – composting of green waste 

22 Sugar factory – solid waste soil and stone landfill 

23 Petrol d.d. Ljubljana tar landfill 

24 TKI Hrastnik d.d. industrial waste landfill of the Unično waste 

disposal site 

25 TOK in bankruptcy waste disposal site of the organic acids factory 

26 Celje zinc plant – Bukovžlak Bukovžlak gypsum landfill 

27 Celje zinc plant – Žepina solid waste landfill with soil barrier in Žepina 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

247 

The table shows the types of waste, which were or still are being dumped on industrial waste landfills, as 

well as the fact that certain locations are in the closest vicinity of the same industrial complexes. 

Analysis of the data collected demonstrates the following conclusions: 

• in 1998, 1,406,000 tons of industrial waste was dumped in the landfills indicated; 

• the majority of waste is generated by the energy sector, i.e. 80 per cent (the Šoštanj coal-fired power 

station and the Trbovlje coal-fired power station); 

• by 2005 the expected quantity of waste generated by industry will increase by 20 per cent, i.e. to 

some 1,650,000 tons, mainly in coal-fired power stations; 

• the iron industry, non-ferrous metal industry and metal processing industry will see a decrease in the 

quantity of waste; 

• the surface of all locations of the recorded industrial waste landfills amounts to 245 hectares with 

some 35 million of waste dumped so far; 

• in the majority of cases, the terrain of the sites was not protected, which means that waste was 

dumped directly on the ground surface; 

• the recorded landfills have the capacity for another 15 million tons of waste; 

• clear-ups of landfills at risk (due to terrain configuration, geological composition of the soil, climate 

conditions or vicinity of urban settlements, etc) need to be started. 

Table 3: The expected closure of industry-generated waste landfills by the end of 2002

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of 

waste envisaged 

for dumping in 

tons or m3

Year of closure Legal status 

1 10 Mežica MPI mine 4,275 m3 1999 Illegal 

2 11 TALUM d.d. 

KIDRIČEVO – 

active 

1,000 t 2000 Illegal 

3 4 Zagorje mine – 

being closed 

30,000 m3 ~2001 Legal 

Table 4: The expected closure of industry-generated waste landfills by 2003

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of 

waste envisaged for 

dumping in 

tons or m3 

Year of 

closure 

Legal status 

1 16 SALONIT Anhovo 1,000 t 2003 legal 

2 24 TKI Hrastnik 3,500 t ~2002 legal 

3 19 PALOMA 10,800 m3 ~2002 illegal 

Table 5: Industry-generated waste landfills that will operate until 2004, or that will have to be equipped 

with a system for collection and treatment of leachate

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of waste 

envisaged for dumping 

in tons or m3 

Year of closure Legal status 

1 3 TE Trbovlje 250,000 t ~2004 legal 

2 8 SŽ Jeklo Štore 18,638 m3 2004 illegal 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

248 

Table 6: Industry-generated waste landfills that will have to be equipped and aligned with the Waste 

Management Rules by 2008, and which are expected to operate until 2015 or longer 

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of 

waste envisaged 

for dumping in 

tons or m3 

Year of closure Legal status 

1 1 TE Šoštanj – old 896,400 t ~2020 illegal 

2 2 TE Šoštanj – new 896,400 t >2020 legal 

3 5 SŽ Acroni 

Javornik 

8,712 m3 2010 legal 

4 7 SŽ Matal Ravne 20,330 m3 2010 illegal 

5 14 ETA Cerkno 5,475 m3 2019 legal 

6 15 JP Snaga 550 m3 2030 legal 

7 16 LKI Lesonit 2,300 m3 2020 illegal 

8 9 TDR Metalurgija 15,040 m3 ~2015 illegal 

9 20 IUV Vrhnika, PE 

Šmartno 

1,200 t ~2010 illegal 

Table 7: Industry-generated waste landfills whose final capacities are not known and that therefore have 

an undefined life span. 

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of 

waste envisaged 

for dumping in 

tons or m3

Year of closure Legal status 

1 13 IMP Livar 7,100 t Non-defined illegal 

2 18 IGM SAVA – 

VIDEM KRŠKO 

47,661 m3 Non-defined legal 

3 21 TSO Ormož, green 

waste 

23,000 t Non-defined legal 

4 22 TSO Ormož, solid 

waste 

7,600 t Non-defined illegal 

Table 8: Industry-generated waste landfills that have already been closed but require monitoring. 

Serial no. No. LANDFILL 

HOLDER 

Annual amount of 

waste envisaged 

for dumping in tons 

or m3

Year of closure Legal status

1 6 SŽ Acroni Jecenice, Bela 

Repeated dumping expected 

No data 1998 legal 

2 12 Talum d.d. Kidričevo, 

inactive landfill of red silt 

 1991 illegal 

3 23 Petrol d.d. Ljubljana – 

tar landfill 

1982 legal 

4 25 Organic acids factory 1991 illegal 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

249 

Conclusions of records on industry-generated waste landfills: 

• industry-generated waste landfills records have shown the issues that have not yet been addressed, 

and problems that the industry will have to resolve with the help of the state; 

• the records have shown the amounts and types of industry-generated waste, as well as the capacities 

of landfills that could be used in the future; 

• the records have shown the issues that will have to be resolved (leachate, protection of soil, etc.) in 

order to protect the environment in which landfills are located; 

• legislation aligned with EU law must provide a different method of waste disposal, which will 

increase costs; 

• landfills in the process of closure must be dealt with as old burdens, which will have to be regulated 

so that they will not pose a risk to the environment, and their situation adjusted to new regulations. 

4. CONCLUSIONS 

Environmental policy documents and legislation aligned with EU guidelines and directives have been 

focused on the resolution of current problems as well as old burdens. They include the clear-up of karstic 

caves where waste has been dumped, and the clear-up of the industry-generated waste landfills. So far the 

regulator has only been addressing these issues on a declarative level while the application is very rare or 

practically non-existent. With Slovenia’s accession to the EU, these issues will soon have to be addressed 

differently, given the commitments and promises signed in the pre-accession statement, as well as the 

damage sustained by the environment. 

5. REFERENCES 

1. Encyclopaedia of Slovenia, Volume 5, Založba Mladinska Knjiga, Ljubljana 1991 

2. Register of Caves in Slovenia 

3. National Environmental Action Programme, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, 

the Administration of the RS for the Protection of Nature, Ljubljana, December 1998 

4. Final Report on the Inventorying of Landfills in the Republic of Slovenia, 1999, the Ministry of the 

Environment and Spatial Planning; http//www.gov.si/uvn/slo/datoteke/okolje/odlagalisca 

5. Waste Disposal Rules, Official Gazette RS, no. 5/2000 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

250 

SPAIN 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO MANAGE CONTAMINATED SOILS IN SPAIN 

LEY 10/1998, De Residuos (Waste Act) 

Boe 22 - April 1998 

Title V: Polluted Soils 

Art.27. Contaminated soils declaration 

Art. 28. Mending of environmental hazards due to soil pollution. 

Functions of the Administrations 

• Ministry of Environment: 

-Legislation 

-Coordination of Regional Governments 

• Regional Governments (17) 

-Executive Activities: 

Investigation 

Inventory 

Register 

Priorisation of Sites 

Projections 

Remediation 

• Municipalities 

-only urban wastes landfields 

Waste Act 

Art. 27. Contaminated Soil Declaration. 

• Regional Governments are responsible for the elaboration of an inventory of those soils/sites with 

high risk of threat for human health and environment. 

• Criteria and standard to declare a soil as contaminated are setting up by the Central Government, 

based in reuse of soils. 

• The declaration of one area as a contaminated soil will force to carry out the necessary actions to its 

cleaning and recovery, previous request of the Regional Authorities. 

• The owner of the pollutant activity has always the liability to clean up the soils. 

• When the site is public property its remediation is financed with public funds. 

• National Plan for Remediation of Contaminated Soils (1995-2005) 

• National Government is responsible for the elaboration of a list with all those economical/ industrial 

activities which potentially can produce soil pollution. 

• The declaration of one area as a contaminated land would be included as a marginal note in the 

Property Register. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

251 

Potentially Pollutant Activities 

• Compulsory Declaration by the owner 

• Included in the property register 

• Situation report every year 

• Ministry is making a decree 

-list of “a Priori” Pollutant activities 

-hazardous substances landfields 

-low pollutants activities are excluded 

Criteria and Standard to Declare a Soil as Contaminated 

• Three classes of soils 

-not contaminated 

-contaminated 

-potentially contaminated 

• Due to concentration of some substances and heavy metals 

• Risk 

• Soil reuse after cleaning up 

Table 1: Guideline Levels 

 Industrial Residential 

Without Restrictions 

on use 

Substance CASRN use Use Soil Organismos Vertebrados 

 Organism acuáticos terrestres 

 (mg/Kg soiil) 

1,1-Dicloroetileno 75-34-3 100*** 70** 0,01(*) 0,034 

1,1,2,2-

Tetracloroetileno 79-34-5 3** 0,3** 0,014 0,01(*) 

1,1,2-Tricloroetano 79-00-5 10** 1** 0.11 0.37 

1,2-Dicloroetano 107-06-2 5** 0,5** 0,35 0,05 0,44 

1,2-Diclorobenceno 95-50-1 100*** 70*** 0.021 0.1 3.3 

1,2-Dicloropropano 78-87-5 4 0,5** 4,24 0,06 1.5 

1,3-Dicloropropeno 42-75-6 7** 0,7** 0,01(*) 0.11 

2-Clorofenol 95-57-8 100*** 10** 0,01(*) 0,01(*) 

2,4,5-Triclorofenol 95-95-4 100*** 100*** 0,02 0,05 0.5 

2,4,6-Triclorofenol 88-06-2 90** 9** 0.15 0,01(*) 0.2 

2,4-Diclorofenol 120-83-2 10** 1** 1.5 0,06 0.40 

1,2,4-Triclorobenceno 120-82-1 90** 9** 0.05 0.12 14.7 

1,4-Diclorobenceno 106-46-7 40** 4** 0.096 0.10 0.35 

1,4-dioxano 123-91-1 29 0.27 

Acenafteno 83-32-9 100*** 60** 0,05 0,01(*) 

Acetona 67-64-1 100*** 10** 0,01(*)! #¡16.60 

Aldrin 309-00-2 1** 0,1** 0,01(*) 0,05 0.09 

Antraceno 120-12-7 100*** 100*** 1,4 100*** 

Benceno 71-43-2 10** 1** 0.1 0.17 2.54 

Benzo(a) antraceno 56-55-3 20** 2** 3.8 0.23 

Benzo(a)pireno 50-32-8 2** 0,2** 0.15 15 22 

clordano 57-74-9 1** 0,1** 0.024 0.01(*) 0.4 

Clorobenceno 108-90-7 35 10** 1 0.1 

Cloroformo 67-66-3 25 5** 0,08 

Dieldrin 60-57-1 1** 0,1** 0.13 0.15 0.01(*) 

Endrin 72-20-8 1** 0,1** 0.01(*) 0.01(*) 0.01(*) 

Etilbenceno 100-41-4 100*** 20** 0,01(*) 2.7 

Fenol 108-95-2 100*** 100*** 0.05 0.01(*) 1.65 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

252 

Table 2: Guideline Levels of Soil Use 

EXPOSURE CENARIOS Residential Industrial Without Restrictions 

Soil vapours inhalation ● ● ●

Soil Particles inhalation ● ●

Accidental ingestion of polluted soil ● ● ●

Ingestion of contaminated food ● 

Skin contact with polluted soil ● ●

National Plan for Remediation for Polluted Soils 

1. 1995-2005 

2. ministry of environment 50% 

3. regional governments 50% 

4. R.G. lead the activities 

5. Public Property sites 

6. Inventory 2 steps: 4.900 sites 

Waste Act 

Art. 28. Mending of environmental hazards due to soil pollution 

Cleaning and recovery could be carried out through voluntary agreements between the pollution 

responsible or through collaboration agreements with the competent authority. 

Remediation of Polluted Soils 

• Polluter pays 

• Subsidies to prevention 

-NPHW 

-Minimization 

-End of line treatment of hazardous wastes 

-Clean up technologies 

• Ministry of environment + regional governments can loan to private for remediation 

• Agreements mimam-regional governments 

• Return normally with profit in 10-15 years: 

-In cash 

-In lands 

-Housing 

Table 3: Total from 1995-2000 

YEAR ESTATE AACC UE FOUNDS. TOTAL YEAR 

1995 2,909 2,548 5,457 

1996 1,593 2,753 1,202 5,547 

1997 5,103 5,415 10,361 20,879 

1998 6,497 6,136 11,636 24,275 

1999 4,021 5,547 5,505 15,073 

2000 6,269 5,920 12,189 

TOTAL 26,392 28,319 28,704 

TOTAL PLAN 83,420 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

253 

0.000

5.000

10.000

15.000

20.000

25.000

ESTATE AACC UE FOUNDS. TOTAL YEAR

MILL.EURO S

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

254 

SWITZERLAND 

1. SUSTAINABLE REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

A. Situation of Contaminated Land in Switzerland 

In Switzerland there are some 40,000 to 50,000 polluted sites to register (landfills, industrial and 

commercial sites as well as accident sites) of which some 3000 are considered to be in need of 

remediation and thus classified as contaminated sites. Although Switzerland had no significant mining 

industry, hardly any heavy industries, no war-related contamination and a long tradition of incinerating 

urban waste, the contaminated land management has a high priority due to the coincidence of a big 

number of contaminated sites in the immediate neighbourhood of highly vulnerable groundwater and a 

high population density in the Swiss central plateau. The main natural resource affected is groundwater 

and therefore often the public supply of drinking water. 

 

B. Swiss Contaminated Land Legislation and Politics 

The urgently necessary legal security for the uniform management of contaminated sites throughout the 

whole of Switzerland has been stipulated in 1995 by the amendment to the Law relating to the Protection 

of the Environment (1983) and later in 1998 the Contaminated Site Ordinance (CSO). The goal of these 

regulations is to clean up the ”sins of yesterday” within the next 20 to 30 years in order to hand over as 

little environmental encumbrance as possible to future generations. The bill for these remediations 

amounts to over 3 billion €. With the Ordinance relating to the tax for the remediation of contaminated 

sites (OTRC) the government is able to support the remediation of orphan sites as well as urban landfills 

with 20 million € per year. 

The goal of remediation is to stop emissions from a contaminated site to such an extent that over the longterm no need for remediation exists; one has to achieve a long-term, sustainable elimination of the danger. 

It is unacceptable that a site must be subjected to intensive monitoring or cost-intensive treatment of 

waste water or air over many generations. But that doesn’t mean that every remediation requires removal 

of the pollutants from the site. 

The Contaminated Site Ordinance accepts, that the objectives of remediation shall either be achieved by: 

• the elimination of environmentally hazardous substances (decontamination); or by 

• preventing and monitoring the diffusion of environmentally hazardous substances in the long term 

(containment); or 

• with respect to hazard for the soil fertility, the restriction of the use of that soil. 

C. Decontamination Versus Containment 

At first glance, containment seems to be cheaper than decontamination in any case. But, in establishing 

containment measures, protection of the environment is only guaranteed as long as the sealing-, drainageand treatment-systems are in function. Attention must therefore be paid also to the cost of the long-term 

maintenance, monitoring and repair or even restoration of the whole system. For that reason the CSO 

requires for containment measures the securing of these overall necessary financial means and - based on 

the principle of sustainability - that the site could be left to its own devices without any further need for 

treatment after a period of no more than one to two generations. Containment is therefore only accepted 

by the Swiss legislation, where the pollutants are easily degradable or long-term-adsorbed, as it may be 

the case e.g. in domestic waste landfills or at sites contaminated by mineral oils. 

The natural degradation of persistent organic pollutants as well as the legally acceptable washing out of 

hazardous heavy metals in landfills or industrial sites may require up to several hundred years. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

255 

Contaminated sites containing a high proportion of such substances are therefore named as "Persistent 

Pollutants Sites" or PEPSI’s. Containment systems for PEPSI's would need to be monitored and 

maintained for many hundred years. Such sites have to be remediated by decontamination mesures. 

The following table summarises the advantages and disadvantages of containment and decontamination: 

containment of PEPSI's decontamination of PEPSI's 

environmental risks persist over a long time span environmental risk removed 

low initial investment costs for construction of 

sealing-, treatment- and monitoring systems 

high initial investment costs for excavation, 

waste treatment, re-depostion, recultivation 

long-term costs for water and air treatment, 

maintenance and replacement of the systems, risk 

for unexpected break-downs of the systems, 

monitoring 

no follow-up costs 

use-restrictions over long periods immediate re-use of the property possible 

polluter-pays-principle not ascertained polluter-pays-principle directly applicable 

financial risk has to be carried by the public financial risk has to be carried by polluters 

(eventually banks) 

not sustainable sustainable 

The Swiss contaminated sites policy therefore postulates a differentiated clean-up strategy: 

• if the hazardous substances that cause the need for remediation will be degraded within the fixed time 

for clean-up monitoring of the contaminated site (so-called "monitored natural attenuation") is 

accepted; 

• if the hazardous substances that cause the need for remediation will be degraded within 1-2 

generations containment measures are accepted;

• if the hazardous substances that cause the need for remediation are persistant and will not be degraded 

within 1-2 generations decontamination of the site is mandatory. 

2. INTRODUCTION 

Since July 1997, the Law on the Protection of the Environment has contained regulations on the 

remediation of polluted sites. The Contaminated Sites Ordinance, in force since October 1998, stipulates 

how this part of the law is to be implemented. These provisions specify the principles of what measures 

must be taken at polluted sites, when they must be taken, who has to take them and who has to pay for 

them. 

3. WHO TAKES THE MEASURES? 

The person who must carry out measures (investigations, monitoring, remediation) at polluted sites is not 

always the same as the person who must bear the costs of those measures. Therefore, in dealing with 

polluted sites, a distinction has to be made between the obligation to take measures, and the obligation to 

bear the costs. 

The Contaminated Sites Ordinance states that, in principle, measures are to be carried out by the holder of 

the site. The term “holder” is not clearly defined from the legal point of view. However, here the holder 

may be for instance the tenant, the leaseholder or another person, who has a close link to the site. This 

imprecise term has the advantage that there is always a holder, whom the authorities may oblige to 

implement the measures. 

As is the case for all principles, there are certain exceptions to the principle that the holder of the site has 

to take the measures. The authorities may also oblige third parties (not holders) to carry out preliminary 

investigations, monitoring or detailed investigations, if there is reason to assume that the pollution of the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

256 

site was caused by their behaviour. However, for working out the remediation project and carrying out the 

remediation measures, the authorities may only oblige third parties to take measures if it is certain that the 

pollution was caused by their behaviour. 

Before obliging a third party to carry out measures, the authorities have to obtain the approval of the 

holder. Usually, this will not represent any problem, because the holder will not have to finance the 

measures himself/herself in advance. 

4. WHO BEARS THE COSTS? 

After it has become clear who must take the measures, the next question is who must bear the costs of the 

measures. The polluter pays principle is established here, which means that the person who has caused a 

measure to have to be taken must bear the costs. 

The central question here is who is considered to be a polluter. Here it will be distinguished between two 

types of responsible persons: persons responsible by their behaviour, and persons responsible by virtue of 

their position. 

A person who is responsible by behaviour is anyone who caused pollution through his/her own behaviour 

or the behaviour of a third party, which took place under his/her responsibility. 

A person who is responsible by position is anyone who has legal or actual power over the matter that 

causes the illegal situation. In the area of polluted sites, this is the holder of the site (owner, leaseholder, 

tenant, etc.). 

According to the Law on the Protection of the Environment, if several responsible parties are involved, 

they have to bear the costs according to their respective shares in the responsibility. Persons responsible 

by behaviour are primarily responsible, and those responsible by virtue of their position are only 

considered as secondarily responsible. There is no joint and common shared responsibility among 

different responsible persons. Therefore, if a responsible person no longer exists, the others do not have to 

bear additional costs. 

Following on from the polluter pays principle and from the fact that different responsible persons are not 

jointly and commonly liable, in cases in which a person responsible by behaviour is no longer available or 

able to pay, the resultant costs are transferred to the communities responsible for execution. In such cases, 

the cantons will normally have to bear the costs. 

The Law on the Protection of the Environment, also expressly states that the holder of the site is 

completely freed from having to bear costs as the person responsible by position, if he/she had no 

knowledge of the pollution, and gained no advantage form the pollution or from the remediation. 

It is furthermore established that the authorities have to decide on the distribution of costs, if those 

responsible for carrying out remediation measures require this, or if the authorities perform the 

remediation themselves. 

5. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S FUNDING SOLUTION 

In Article 32e of the Law on the Protection of the Environment, the legislator gave the Federal Council 

the competence to levy a tax on the deposit of waste, and to use the proceeds to pay the cantons part of 

the remediation costs. The Federal Council made use of this competence by means of the Ordinance 

concerning the Tax for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites. Since 1 January 2001, a tax has been 

levied on the deposit of wastes. From the year 2002, using the proceeds from this tax, financial 

contributions will be made to the cantons for the remediation of landfill sites for municipal waste and 

other contaminated sites. However, the cantons will only receive federal contributions if the costs actually 

accrue to them, for instance in the case of landfill sites for municipal waste, for which they have an 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

257 

individual responsibility (they are regarded as responsible), and for sites where there are costs for the 

canton because the responsible person can no longer be prosecuted. The level of the federal contributions 

amounts to 40 percent of the remediation costs. 

6. CONCLUSIONS 

As regards the implementation of measures, Switzerland has chosen a system which guarantees that the 

measures are taken as quickly as possible. A holder of the polluted site always exists, and the authorities 

may oblige him/her to carry out the measures. However, if appropriate, the authorities may also oblige 

third parties, provided that this will ensure that the measures are carried out. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

258 

TURKEY 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

There is a growing recognition of soil and groundwater pollution problems in Turkey since the 

enforcement of the regulations of the Control of Solid Wastes (C of SW) in March 1991 and the Control of 

Hazardous Wastes (C of HW) in August 1995. The main purpose of these regulations is to provide a legal 

framework for the management of municipal solid wastes and hazardous wastes throughout the nation. 

They basically regulate the collection, transportation, and disposal of wastes that can be harmful to human 

health and the environment and provide technical and administrative standards for construction and 

operation of disposal sites and related legal and punitive responsibilities. 

C of SW and C of HW regulations have been recently subjected to some modifications in 1998 and 1999, 

respectively. However, these changes are mostly related to some management and technical aspects of 

waste collection, reuse, and disposal activities and have no implications related to contaminated sites. 

There are a couple of new legislative proposals, which will most likely have same impact on 

contaminated sites. The first of these proposals is about local governments and municipalities, and the 

second one is about preparation of a regional “Environmental Emergency Response Plans.” With the first 

legislative proposal, local governments and municipalities will have explicit authority and responsibility 

for planning, building and operating the new solid waste disposal sites and rehabilitating the old ones. 

Considering that a large number of contaminated sites are in fact the old waste dumpsites, it is expected 

that the new legislative proposal will have a positive impact on rehabilitation of contaminated dumpsites. 

This new proposal also provides new financial tools for generating funds to fulfill the assumed 

responsibilities. The second proposal will make the industrial facilities responsible for preparing their 

own emergency response plans and get these plans approved by the local authorities. Thus, this new 

legislative proposal will provide a framework for systematic approach for identification, registration and 

rehabilitation of contaminated sites on regional basis. Another recent development has been related to a 

proposal for amending the Environmental Law. This amendment proposes specific articles related to 

issues of soil contamination and clean up of contaminated land. 

2. REGISTRATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES 

Existing regulations do not explicitly define the concept of contaminated sites. For example, the Control 

of Hazardous Wastes defines what a hazardous waste is and provides lists categorizing hazardous wastes 

based on their sources, chemical compositions and accepted disposal techniques. Thus, any site 

contaminated with or subjected to any of these categorized hazardous wastes can implicitly be defined as 

a contaminated site. However, difficulties arise from the lack of information for most of chemicals in 

these lists regarding specific maximum concentration levels (MCLs) or remedial action levels. 

Currently, identification of any contaminated site is not based on a certain systematic approach. These 

sites are mostly identified after some potential environmental problems become obvious and public as a 

result of the efforts of local authorities or concerned citizens. However, some current policy developments 

by the Ministry of Environment can make the identification of contaminated sites somewhat more 

systematic. In this new policy development, the waste management commission, an administrative body 

proposed by the Control of Hazardous Wastes regulation, initiates preparation of industrial waste 

inventory on a regional basis. Waste inventory is planned to be achieved by requiring all the industry to 

fill out annual waste declaration forms revealing the type, amount, composition and the current disposal 

practice of their wastes. This way, it is expected that waste generation activities and pollution potentials 

of industries can be monitored; regionally effective waste reutilization and recycling programs can be 

implemented; and finally regional needs for the type and capacity of waste disposal facilities can be 

identified. In response to such efforts, an integrated waste management facility, including a landfill and 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

259 

incineration unit for disposal of industrial wastes, is becoming operational at full scale in heavily 

industrialized Marmara region. 

Another policy development related to identification of contaminated sites is the work progressing 

towards the preparation of a “Soil Pollution Control” regulation. It is expected that this regulation will 

clarify the existing confusion over the remedial action and cleanup levels and set a guideline for the 

selection of appropriate cleanup technologies for various different types of contaminated soil sites. 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

Currently, there are no reliable and comprehensive case study based statistics or data on remedial methods 

and technologies used for cleanup of soil and groundwater in Turkey. Regulatory aspects of acceptable 

remedial methods and technologies are provided by the Control of Hazardous Wastes regulation, which 

specifies acceptable remedial and/or disposal methods for a given type of contaminant group. In the 

Control of Hazardous Wastes regulation, acceptable methods for a large number of contaminant group is 

given as physical, chemical and biological treatment without stating the specific name of the method. 

However, it clearly states that use of remedial technologies is a must for wastes containing a large group 

of contaminants. Currently, there is no official knowledge regarding the widespread past use of particular 

technologies for soil and groundwater cleanup in Turkey. However, it is known that land farming and at 

few chemical spill site pump-and-treat type technologies are being used for waste treatment and 

groundwater cleanup. Most probably these sites will set precedence, in terms of both cost and 

performance, for cleanup in other similar sites. 

4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

There is a pressing need for research and development of soil and groundwater cleanup technologies in 

Turkey. Some research is being conducted by private sector to develop equipment for field applications of 

air sparging and soil vapor extraction systems at gas stations. 

5. CONCLUSIONS

There is a growing recognition of soil and groundwater degradation problems in Turkey. Because the 

enforcement of hazardous waste regulations is relatively new, some difficulties in the identification of soil 

and groundwater contamination sites remain unresolved. Recent regulatory efforts are helpful for 

identification of these sites contaminated as a result of past activities. In the near future a considerable 

increase in the number of registered contaminated sites is expected. 

Turkey presently relies heavily on surface water resources to satisfy water supply demands mainly 

because of relative abundance of surface waters resources. Groundwater constitutes a relatively small 

component of total available resources (17 percent) but it represents a significant portion (27 percent) of 

total water withdrawal. However, due to growing water demand parallel to rapid population and industrial 

growth, an increasing demand for food production, urban expansion and accelerated degradation of 

surface water quality, protection of clean groundwater resources as well as remediation of contaminated 

soil and groundwater sites are becoming environmental issues of high priority. The sustainable 

development of groundwater resources requires proper waste treatment for communities and industrial 

plants. Groundwater is the major source of drinking water supply and as such needs to be fully protected 

and allocated only for high quality uses. Although legislation on groundwater exists, their protection 

appears to be neglected at least in certain areas. With the spread of irrigation practices, the pollution threat 

to groundwater is also increasing. To date, unsatisfactory efforts have been made to protect groundwater 

from the increasing variety of potential pollution sources, such as agricultural chemicals, septic tanks, and 

waste dumps. The control of soil and groundwater contamination is essential to Turkey’s on-going 

reliance on groundwater resources for potable water. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

260 

The management of municipal and hazardous wastes in Turkey is inadequate to ensure proper handling 

and treatment. Industrial waste, particularly hazardous waste, has grown proportionately with industrial 

production. Treatment facilities are minimal and their disposal is usually haphazard. They pose serious 

dangers for soil and groundwater and in some cases for public health. The legal gap has to a certain extent 

been filled with the regulation of the Control of Hazardous Wastes. Minimization of the generation and 

availability of facilities for proper storage and disposal of hazardous wastes has been embodied in this 

Turkish regulation. The policies are being strengthened by the application of such mechanisms of 

industrial waste management as the full implementation of environmental impact assessment for new 

proposals, the requirement that waste management programs be prepared and implemented by existing 

industries, and the encouragement of waste reuse. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

261 

UNITED KINGDOM 

The information in this tour de table is current as of January 2002.

This is an update to the Tour de Table papers presented at the Vienna Meeting (February 1998), the 

Angers Meeting (May 1999) and Wiesbaden meeting (June 2000) of the Pilot Study. 

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES 

Background to UK policy on land affected by contamination and the role of the “contaminated land 

provisions” of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (“the 1990 Act”) have been described 

in the previous Tour de Table papers. On 1 April 2000, the 1990 Act came into force in England. The 

Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport, and the Regions also made the Contaminated Land 

(England) Regulations 2000 under provisions of specific parts of the 1990 Act. Detailed information on 

the implementation of the 1990 Act in England can be found in Department of Environment, Transport, 

and the Regions (DETR) Circular 02/2000 [1]. The Circular aims to: 

• Promulgate guidance to regulatory authorities on how specific parts of the 1990 Act should be 

interpreted and the scope of any assessment that they must make. The guidance covers the definition 

and identification of contaminated land, the remediation of contaminated land, and the apportionment 

of liability and issues of cost recovery. It is an essential part of the new regime. 

• Set out the way in which the new regime is expected to work, by providing a summary of 

Government policy in this field, a description of the new regime, and a guide to the Regulations. 

The responsibility for implementing the 1990 Act in Scotland and Wales rests with the Scottish Executive 

and the National Assembly for Wales, respectively. In Scotland, this Act was implemented in July 2000, 

whilst in Wales, it was implemented more recently. 

After implementation of Part IIA in April 2000, Local Authorities were required to prepare and publish a 

written strategy for inspecting their areas as a means of identifying contaminated land. The Environment 

Agency has supported this task by providing relevant information that it holds already. To date, 85% of 

the Local Authorities in England are reported to be either consulting formally on their inspection strategy 

or have published it. It is expected that most of the remaining draft strategies will be published by the end 

of September 2001. 

After an inspection strategy has been published, the Local Authority is required to inspect its area from 

time to time, in line with its written strategy in order to identify any land that meets the statutory 

definition of contaminated land. The Environment Agency is currently aware of 19 contaminated land 

determinations in England of which 4 are special sites (i.e. sites where it is likely that the Agency will be 

the regulator). In addition, the Agency is currently involved in inspecting a further 19 potential special 

sites. 

2. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES 

Technology development programmes that support the development of innovative methods for dealing 

with land remediation are summarised below in table 1. 

3. REMEDIAL METHODS IN USE 

At the last Pilot Study meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany, it was reported that the Environment Agency had 

commissioned a survey of remedial techniques that had been used in England and Wales for remediation 

during the period January 1996 to December 1999. This survey has now been published [3].
Table 1: Technology development initiatives for land remediation in the UK 

Programme Objective Progress 

CLAIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments) 1998 to present 

To establish a network of test sites within the UK to research and demonstrate cost-effective techniques for the investigation and remediation of land affected by contamination. 

1. Identified 45 potential sites; 2. 25 project applications received in 

which 11 have been ratified; 

3. Demonstration projects include: 

• Soil washing • Slurry bioreactors to treat coal 

tar and PAH contaminated soils. 

exSite 1998 to present Bioremediation LINK Programme (Jointly sponsored by the Dept. of Trade and Industry, BBSRC, EPSRC and the Environment Agency) Programme announced 1April 2001 

To support the development of technologies that will provide UK industry with the multidisciplinary capability necessary to exploit biotechnology in remediating contaminated land and water. Focus areas include: • Natural attenuation in groundwater and soil; 

• Engineering in situ bioremediation; 

• Process scale-up to field conditions; 

• Bioremediation within a risk management 

framework; 

• Monitoring methods for understanding in situ

bioremediation; 

Call for the first round of proposal outlines now closed. 

Faraday Centre for Remediation of the Polluted Environment (A consortium consisting of 7 UK universities, 4 technology transfer organisations, and the Environment Agency). 

To support research in developing new technologies to remediate land contamination and to disseminate widely the information generated through practical training and networks. Priority areas have been identified that include: 

• Natural & enhanced attenuation of subsurface 

pollutants; 

• Biological site characterisation tools; • Application of permeable reactive barriers in the UK; 

• Process flowsheet optimisation for soil and water 

remediation. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

266 

4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

Table 2 lists a number of completed, on-going, and proposed R&D projects related to the remediation of 

land affected by contamination funded by the environmental agencies and the research councils. 

Table 2: UK R&D Projects on remediation of land affected by contamination (not intended to be 

inclusive) 

PROJECT STATUS 

RESEARCH COUNCILS (BBSRC – Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; 

EPSRC – Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Centre; NERC – Natural Environment 

Research Council) 

 

Bioremediation: a study of stakeholders attitudes BBSRC 

Dr Kate Millar, University of Nottingham 

Dual anaerobic system for bioremediation of 

metal/organic wastes

BBSRC 

Professor Macaskie, University of Birmingham 

Bioremediation and microbial population 

dynamics 

BBSRC 

Dr Head, University of Newcastle 

Cyanide biodegradation: a model for the 

development of molecular probes for 

optimisation of bioremediation

BBSRC 

Professor Knowles, University of Oxford 

Phytoremediation: an integrated biological 

approach to decontamination of polluted soils

BBSRC 

Professor Thompson, Centre of Ecology and 

Hydrology (CEH) 

An integrated, multifunctional system for 

bioremediation of waters containing xenobiotics 

and toxic metals

BBSRC 

Professor Livingston, Imperial College of 

Science, Technology, and Medicine 

Processes controlling the natural attenuation of 

fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in chalk

EPSRC 

Professor David Lerner, University of Sheffield 

Non-invasive characterisation of NAPLcontaminated land by spectral induced 

polarisation (SIP) tomography

EPSRC / NERC 

Dr Ogilvy, British Geological Survey 

New sensor system for monitoring solvent 

migration from contaminated sites

EPSRC/NERC 

Professor Williams, University of Central 

London 

Studies into metal speciation and bioavailability 

to assist risk assessment and remediation of 

brownfield sites in urban areas

EPSRC/NERC 

Professor Thornton, Imperial College of Science, 

Technology, and Medicine 

In situ sensing of the effect of remediation on 

available metal fluxes in contaminated land

EPSRC/NERC 

Professor Davison, University of Lancaster 

Bacterial biosensors to screen in situ 

bioavailability, toxicity, and biodegradation 

potential of xenobiotic pollutants in soil 

NERC 

Professor Killham, University of Aberdeen 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

266 

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY 

Environment Agency reports can be obtained from the R&D Dissemination Centre, WRC plc, Frankland Road, Blagrove, 

Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8YF, United Kingdom. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Remediation of 

Land Contamination 

To provide advice on assessing the costs 

and benefits of different remedial 

techniques when evaluating and 

selecting the most appropriate 

remedial strategy for a site. 

Published in December 1999. 

R&D Technical Report P316. 

Costs and Benefits Associated with 

Remediation of Contaminated 

Groundwater: A Review of the 

Issues. 

To review and provide guidance on the 

issues associated with the costs and 

benefits of remediating 

contaminated groundwater. 

Published in December 1999. 

R&D Technical Report P278 (Review) 

R&D Technical Report P279 (Guidance) 

Guidance on the Use of Digital 

Environmental Data 

To provide guidance on the nature and use 

of digital environmental data in GIS 

for improved land quality data 

management. 

Published in March 2000. 

R&D Technical Report NC/06/32. 

Prepared in collaboration with the British 

Geological Survey. 

Guidance for the Safe Development of 

Housing on Land Affected by 

Contamination 

To provide good practice advice in respect of 

remediation of land contamination and its return 

to beneficial use for the purposes of housing. 

Published in June 2000. 

R&D Publication 66. 

Prepared in collaboration with the National 

House Building Council. 

Risks of Contaminated Land to Buildings, 

Building Materials and Services. A 

Literature Review. 

To provide a literature review of 

information on the assessment and 

management of risks from land 

contamination to buildings. 

Published in 2000. 

R&D Technical Report P331. 

Survey of Remedial Techniques for Land 

Contamination in England and Wales. 

Published in 2000. 

R&D Technical report P301 

Assessing the Wider Environmental Value 

of Remediating Land 

Contamination: A Review. 

To review the international approach to assessing 

the wider environmental effect of different 

remedial strategies as part of a selection process 

Published in 2000. 

R&D Technical Report P238. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

267 

Guidance on the Assessment and 

Monitoring of Natural Attenuation 

of Contaminants in Groundwater 

To provide guidance on the assessment and 

monitoring of natural attenuation of 

contaminants in groundwater. 

Published in 2000. 

R&D Publication 95. 

Development of Appropriate Soil 

Sampling Strategies for Land 

Contamination 

To develop guidance to assist the design of a site 

investigation strategy in accordance with the site 

conceptual model and the data requirements for 

risk estimation and evaluation. 

Published in 2000. 

R&D Publication 

Technical guidance for dealing with 

Special Sites 

Published in 2001 

R&D Publication 

Bioremediation of contaminated soils with 

biomass fuel crops 

A review of remedial options for DNAPL 

source treatment 

To review the international experience of 

source treatment of DNAPL 

contaminants to evaluate 

information transfer and 

prioritisation of research into the 

UK. 

Project completed (available shortly) 

R&D Technical Report P 

Site for Innovative Research on Natural 

Attenuation (SIREN) 

To study the application of natural 

attenuation at a specific site and to 

encourage and disseminate the 

outcome of projects to benefit our 

wider understanding of the 

applicability and implementation of 

natural attenuation. 

On-going project. 

R&D Publication 

Guidance on monitoring and verification of 

remedial treatments for land 

contamination 

To provide guidance on the monitoring 

requirements and the verification of 

different remedial techniques to 

enable performance to be established 

during remediation and after works 

have been completed. 

On-going project. 

Case Study CBA Ongoing 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

268 

Development of Remedial Treatment 

Action Data Sheets 

Ongoing 

First 5 data sheets on biological treatments will 

be available through the Agency’s web site: 

www.environment-agency.gov.uk 

Technical Training on inspection and 

remediation of contaminated land 

To produce a training package for those 

undertaking site inspections and/or 

remediation of contaminated soils 

and groundwater. 

Ongoing 

Landfill remediation technologies – 

potential use in the context of the 

landfill directive 

New start in 2001/02 

Guidance on Permeable Reactive Barriers New start in 2001/02 

Field study of the performance of cover 

systems for land remediation 

To provide baseline field evidence for the 

long term performance of cover 

systems to improve regulatory 

confidence in their appropriate 

application.

New start in 2001/02 

SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND FORUM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 

(SNIFFER) 

Reports are available from the Foundation for Water Research, Allen House, The Listons, Liston 

Road, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1FD, UK. 

Protocol and Guidance Manual for 

Assessing Potential Adverse Effects 

of Substances on Designated 

Terrestrial Ecosystems 

To provide guidance on deriving sitespecific assessment criteria for 

unacceptable risk to ecosystems. 

Published in December 1999. 

Framework for Deriving Numeric Targets 

to Minimise the Adverse Human 

Health Effects of Long-term 

Exposure to Contaminants in Soil 

To provide guidance on deriving sitespecific assessment criteria for 

unacceptable chronic risk to human 

health. 

Published in January 2000. 

Report No. SR99(02)F 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

269 

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND INFORMATION ASSOCIATION (CIRIA) 

Remedial Engineering for Closed Landfill 

Sites. 

To provide guidance on the range of 

options for restoring closed landfill 

sites to a range of different end uses. 

Funders Report CP/61. 

For information contact CIRIA at 6 Storey’s 

Gate, Westminster, London, SW1P 3AU. 

Remedial Processes for Contaminated 

Land: Principles and Practice. 

To provide good practice guidance on the 

selection and implementation of 

certain categories of process-based 

technologies. 

Funders Report R000. 

For information contact CIRIA at 6 Storey’s 

Gate, Westminster, London, SW1P 3AU. 

Contaminated Land: Financial Control of 

Risk. 

To provide guidance to those involved in 

the redevelopment of brownfield 

sites on how to manage and limit the 

financial risk posed. 

Funders Report. 

For information contact CIRIA at 6 Storey’s 

Gate, Westminster, London, SW1P 3AU. 

Contaminated land: in-house training 

material 

To produce training package aimed at the 

construction industry to raise 

awareness of the application of a 

range of remedial techniques and 

approaches to risk assessment. 

On-going project. 

Biological treatment for contaminated 

land: case studies. 

To develop good practice guidance when 

using biological treatments for 

remediating land contaminated in 

the UK. 

On-going project. 

Client’s guide for building on brownfield 

sites. 

To provide guidance to the construction 

industry on adopting a sustainable 

approach to building on 

contaminated sites. 

On-going project. 

Safe working practice on contaminated 

land – training material. 

To provide training for those responsible 

for site safety and construction staff 

working on redevelopment of land 

affected by contamination. 

New start in 2000/2001. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

270 

5. REFERENCES 

1. Department of the Environment, Transport, and the Regions (2000) Environmental Protection Act 

1990: Part IIA. Contaminated Land. Circular 02/2000. Available from the Stationery Office, PO Box 

29, Norwich, NR3 1GN, United Kingdom: ISBN 0-11-753544-3 (Available on the web at 

www.environment.detr.gov.uk/contaminated/land/index.htm.) 

2. Urban Task Force (1999) Towards an Urban Renaissance. Available from E & FN Spon Customer 

Service, International Thomson Publishing Services Ltd, Cheriton House, North Way, Andover, 

Hampshire, SP10 5BE, United Kingdom: ISBN 1-85112-165-X (An execu-tive summary is available 

on the web at www.regeneration.detr.gov.uk/utf/renais/index.htm.) 

3. Environment Agency (2000) 

4. DETR publication on research – check reference 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

271

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

1. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Three different federal programs provide the authority to respond to releases of hazardous substances that 

endanger public health or the environment: (1) In response to a growing concern about contaminated 

sites, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

(CERCLA) in 1980. Commonly known as Superfund, the program under this law is the central focus of 

federal efforts to clean up releases of hazardous substances at abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste 

sites. The program is funded, in part, by a trust fund based on taxes on the manufacture of petroleum and 

other basic organic and inorganic chemicals. (2) The second program is directed at corrective action at 

currently operating hazardous waste management facilities. This program is authorized by the Resource 

Conservation and Recovery Act of 1980 (RCRA) and its subsequent amendments. RCRA corrective 

action sites tend to have the same general types of waste as Superfund sites. Environmental problems are 

generally less severe than at Superfund sites although numerous RCRA facilities have corrective action 

problems that could equal or exceed those of many Superfund sites. (3) The third program, also 

authorized by RCRA, is a comprehensive regulatory program for underground storage tanks (USTs) 

storing petroleum or certain hazardous substances. This law requires owners and operators of new tanks 

and tanks already in the ground to prevent, detect, and cleanup releases. As of March 2002, over 422,000 

confirmed releases had been reported, over 387,000 cleanups initiated, and over 277,000 cleanups 

completed. 

A. Implementation of Hazardous Waste Cleanup Legislation 

Each program has a formal process for identifying, characterizing, and remediating contaminated sites. 

These processes generally involve joint implementation with state agencies and the involvement of 

various groups, such as local government agencies, local residents, businesses, and environmental public 

interest groups. Superfund is administered by EPA and the states under the authority of the CERCLA. 

Although the terminology may differ from one program to another, each follows a process more-or-less 

similar to this one. Thus, in addition to comprising a defined single program, activities in the Superfund 

program substantially influence the implementation of the other remediation programs. 

RCRA assigns the responsibility for corrective action to facility owners and operators and authorizes EPA 

to oversee corrective action. Unlike Superfund, RCRA responsibility is delegated to states. As of 

September 2002, EPA has authorized 38 states and territories to implement the RCRA Corrective Action 

program. 

The UST program is primarily implemented by states, whose UST requirements may be more stringent 

than federal regulations. The federal UST regulations require tank owners to monitor the status of their 

facilities and immediately report leaks or spills to the implementing agency. The federal regulations 

require UST owners and operators to respond to a release by: reporting the release; removing its source; 

mitigating fire and safety hazards; investigating the extent of contamination; and cleaning up soil and 

ground water as needed to protect human health and the environment. 

 

B. Policy Developments 

Ongoing cleanup programs are focusing on the productive reuse of properties and “Brownfields” or site 

reuse initiatives have become prominent at federal and state levels. Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or 

under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real 

or perceived environmental contamination. Estimates range from 450,000 to 600,000 such sites in the 

United States. A growing realization of their great potential has heightened interest in their cleanup and 

redevelopment. EPA has funded 437 Brownfield Assessment Pilots and 28 Showcase Communities 

projects to stimulate work in this area. The Assessment Pilots are funded at up to $200,000 to local 

communities to chart their own course toward revitalization. The pilots are seen as catalysts for change in 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

272

local communities, and often spur community involvement in local land use decision-making. EPA has 

provided 143 Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund grants for up to $1,000,000. In addition, EPA 

has provided Brownfields job training and development grants to 56 communities to provide 

environmental training for residents near brownfield sites. These programs have generated more than 

15,000 jobs and returned about $2.50 of private investment for every public dollar spent. 

These site reuse efforts were not originally envisioned when the Superfund and RCRA laws, under which 

they have been operated, were enacted. In January 2002, the President signed a new “Brownfields law, 

formally titled the "Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act," creating an 

opportunity to take further action at contaminated properties. The new law provides the needed 

capabilities to increase funding for assessment and cleanup, and to expand the scope of eligible parties 

and activities. The law responds directly to some of the biggest limitations of the earlier site reuse efforts 

-- providing new direct grants for cleanup, adding flexibility to cumbersome cleanup rules and including 

sites with petroleum contamination such as abandoned gas stations. The President’s proposed 2003 

budget requests $200 million for Brownfields – more than doubling the size of the current program. 

The proposed funding increase will certainly expand the number of communities receiving help, but just 

as significant over the long run are the sweeping liability reforms in the bill. Clarifying Superfund 

liability provides increased certainty – the kind of certainty that communities and the private sector need 

to feel comfortable investing in site reuse projects. With specific provisions for innocent landowners, 

prospective purchasers and contiguous property owners – the bill generally protects owners and 

purchasers who did not contribute to the contamination, who conducted appropriate inquiry before the 

purchase and who exercised appropriate care for the property. The law will stimulate a new willingness to 

undertake site reuse projects because it removes the uncertainty of Superfund liability that clouded many 

potential redevelopment deals. 

In addition to increasing funding and reforming liability, the law creates a strong, balanced relationship 

between the federal government and state and tribal programs. The law provides up to $50 million per 

year to support state and tribal response programs. The regulatory primacy of State programs is ensured 

by barring EPA from using Superfund enforcement authorities at sites cleaned up under a State response 

program. The Federal safety net is preserved through limited circumstances where EPA can be involved 

in a site and communities are further protected by requiring a public record of sites under State programs. 

EPA is moving forward with a full-scale implementation effort involving states and tribes as partners and 

co-implementors. In addition, EPA is building on the Brownfields law to continue bringing reuse 

concepts into all programs dealing with contaminated properties, including Superfund, RCRA, UST and 

Federal facilities cleanup programs. For example, in the Superfund program the reuse of contaminated 

sites is a priority and areas that were once dangerous are now being cleaned up and turned into office 

parks, playing fields, industrial centers, shopping centers, residential areas, tourist centers, and wetlands. 

Beneficial use has started or is about to start at over 300 NPL sites. The commercial uses will support 

over 15,000 on-site jobs with over $500 million in annual incomes. There will also be over 60,000 acres 

of ecological and recreational uses. In addition, EPA has started a grant initiative to clean up and reuse 

sites with abandoned underground petroleum tanks. The program places special emphasis on 

environmental problems caused by the fuel additive MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether). The program 

entails competitively awarded grants of $100,000 to states for community pilot projects to plan cleanups, 

stop contamination of ground water, protect public health, and allow for future economic development of 

the sites. Ten grants were initially included and EPA has recently expanded the program with 40 

additional grants. 

2. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTAMINATED SITES

Almost half a million sites with potential contamination have been reported to state or federal authorities, 

based on a 1996 assessment. Regulatory authorities have identified most of the contaminated sites. 

Nevertheless, new ones continue to be reported each year, but at a declining rate. It is estimated that the 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

273

cost of remediating sites from the 1996 assessment will be about $187 billion (in 1996 dollars), and that it 

will take at least several decades to completely cleanup all the identified sites. 

3. TRENDS AND ANTICIPATED REMEDIAL TECHNOLOGY USE 

As part of the quest for more efficient and cost-effective site remediation technologies, a few subject 

areas are particularly worthy of note at this time. These represent some of the focus areas in greatest need 

of new technology. 

The presence of DNAPLs (dense non-aqueous phase liquids) is probably the single most important factor 

affecting our ability to attain clean-up levels in ground water. Studies have shown that pumping and 

treating will often not achieve cleanup goals in a reasonable time frame. In addition, the total costs to 

complete a groundwater cleanup are frequently not recognized either because of a 30 year planning 

horizon or as a result of discounting when considering the time value of money. Relatively little data are 

available for projects employing DNAPL treatment technologies, especially data documenting the longterm effects on ground water quality. There is interest in the potential for using in situ processes such as 

steam extraction, six-phase thermal heating, oxidation, surfactant-cosolvent flushing, and even biological 

processes. Oxidation is frequently used by a limited number of vendors at full-scale, primarily for 

petroleum contamination. Otherwise, with a few notable exceptions, there is relatively little field 

demonstration activity for either surfactant and co-solvent flushing or thermal vaporization and 

mobilization processes. This is an important shortcoming because DNAPLs are believed to be present at 

many sites. Future work is necessary to evaluate the capability of these treatment processes and to 

determine the result of partial source term removal on the resulting groundwater quality. 

 

The trend toward greater use of in situ treatment processes has contributed to a need for improved site 

characterization technologies. In the past, site characterization primarily involved production of 

contaminant concentration profiles for the purpose of risk assessment. Now, however, with greater 

interest in situ processes, it is necessary to better understand subsurface conditions to assess the feasibility 

of in situ remediation options; to design these processes; to operate the in situ technologies with optimum 

feedback and process control; and to know when treatment may be stopped because acceptable residual 

levels have been achieved. There is a particular need to improve our ability to reliably locate DNAPL 

through direct or indirect methods. EPA is developing a Field Analytical Technologies Encyclopedia 

(FATE) at http://fate.cluin.org. 

There is a growing awareness that better site data can improve decision-making at hazardous waste sites. 

These improvements can be achieved through use of an integrated approach that combines systematic 

planning, dynamic work plans, and real-time measurement technologies to plan and implement data 

collection. By carefully identifying and managing the potential causes of error (i.e., the sources of 

uncertainty) the capabilities of new field-based characterization and monitoring technologies can be 

realized. This has particular significance for Brownfields and voluntary cleanup programs where time and 

cost are a primary concern for the redevelopment and reuse of properties. 

 

There is a strong interest in bringing more efficiency to remediation efforts through use of optimization 

techniques. The EPA, Corps of Engineers, Air Force, and other federal agencies have been working to 

identify and evaluate tools for optimizing pump-and-treat systems. These agencies are also developing 

programs to identify opportunities for realizing cost savings while maintaining acceptable levels of risk. 

Tools including mathematical optimization algorithms, geostatistical models, and comprehensive system 

audits have shown promising results for significantly improving performance and reducing operation and 

maintenance costs. EPA has recently completed a nationwide effort to optimize pump and treat systems 

financed by the Superfund Program using a process called Remediation System Evaluations (RSEs). The 

RSEs, similar to a system audit, identified a potential reduction in annual operating costs of 36% or nearly 

$5 million for the 20 evaluated sites and many opportunities to improve remedy protectiveness with 

respect to human health and the environment. EPA currently is considering expanding this effort to more 

Superfund sites and other EPA programs. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

274

Monitored natural attenuation continues to receive attention as an alternative to pump-and-treat 

systems and as a final polishing step for various in situ remedies. Although natural attenuation offers 

significant advantages, there are some important uncertainties about attenuation rates and endpoints. EPA 

has issued a final guideline on this process that emphasizes the need for source control and rigorous longterm monitoring. Successful monitoring programs need to be demonstrated, perhaps using new sensor 

technology. 

MTBE is a contaminant, which is being found with alarming frequency in groundwater supplies. MTBE 

is much more soluble and resistant to natural biodegradation than other gasoline constituents, such as 

benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). MTBE plumes are usually larger, leading to more 

drinking water wells being affected and more difficult and expensive cleanups. This constituent is more 

expensive to treat at both the wellhead and in situ because it is harder to strip and biodegrade. EPA has 

prepared 303 site profiles of drinking water and remediation sites that treat soil and ground water 

contaminated with MTBE. These studies are accessible through a web site (http://cluin.org/products/mtbe), which has been established to help site managers assess technologies. 

 

4. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION 

Federal agencies currently are coordinating several technology development and commercialization 

programs. The Department of Energy (DOE) continues to lead in funding for the development new 

environmental cleanup technologies. These technologies are focused on improving the clean up at DOE 

sites and include processes such as bioremediation, electrokinetics, and biosorption of uranium. 

The Department of Defense (DOD) has several technology research and development programs targeted 

at helping commercialize remediation technologies. The Environmental Security Technology 

Certification Program (ESTCP) is designed to promote the demonstration and validation of the most 

promising innovative technologies that target DOD’s most urgent environmental needs. It is funded at 

$21 million in fiscal year (FY) 2002. The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program 

(SERDP) is a joint program with DOD, DOE, and EPA, funded at $62.9 million in FY02, which devotes 

36 percent of its resources to remediation and site characterization technologies. DOD’s high priority 

cleanup technology needs include: unexploded ordinance (new sensors, signal processing and risk 

assessment); compliance (source determination, fate and transport, and aircraft noise); cleanup 

(remediation technologies for explosives in soil and ground water); pollution prevention (green munitions 

and green energetics); and conservation (range sustainability issues). 

EPA’s program for the evaluation of new cleanup technologies is the Superfund Innovative Technology 

Evaluation or SITE program. The SITE Demonstration Program encourages the development of 

innovative treatment technologies and new technologies for monitoring and measuring. In the 

Demonstration Program, technologies are field-tested on hazardous waste materials. Engineering and cost 

data are gathered so that potential users can assess applicability to a particular site. A similar program, 

which seeks to provide independent third-party verification of promising environmental technologies, is 

the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program. The program operates 12 pilots covering a 

broad range of environmental areas. EPA partners with various public and private organizations in the 

different pilot areas to establish means for conducting the performance testing. Information for these 

programs is available from their web sites at http://www.epa.gov/ORD/SITE and http://www.epa.gov/etv. 

The publication source for EPA documents is http://www.epa.gov/ncepihom. 

Cooperative public-private initiatives are particularly important because they focus on processes that 

private problem holders view as most promising for the future. The involvement of technology users 

helps to assure that the processes selected for development reflect actual needs and have a high potential 

for future application. Led by EPA, the Remediation Technologies Development Forum (RTDF) is a 

consortium of partners from industry, government, and academia, who share the common goal of 

developing more effective, less costly hazardous waste characterization and treatment technologies. 

RTDF achieves this goal by identifying high priority needs for remediation technology development. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

275

EPA helps to develop partnerships between federal agencies (such as DOD and DOE) and private site 

owners (responsible parties, owners/operators) for the joint evaluation of remediation technologies. The 

program is organized around six action teams, which are co-chaired by a government and industry 

representative (Figure 1). Information is available from the RTDF home page at http://www.rtdf.org 

 

Agencies of the Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (including DOE, DOD and EPA) are 

involved in an ongoing effort to collect and distribute cleanup case studies of cost and performance data. 

The studies aid the selection and use of more cost-effective remedies by documenting experience from 

actual field applications. Recently, the Roundtable announced publication of 39 new studies of full-scale 

remediation and demonstration projects. This brings the total to 313 case studies, which are now available 

on the Roundtable’s web site (http://www.frtr.gov) with a user-friendly search capability. Figure 2 

indicates the types of contaminants and media addressed by the case studies. The federal agencies 

coordinated their individual documentation efforts by using standardized procedures to capture their 

cleanup experience. These procedures are contained in an Interagency Guide, which provides a 

recommended format for documenting cost, performance, and matrix and operational parameters for 29 

specific technologies. By adopting a common reporting format, the federal agencies hope to increase the 

utility of data by making it easier to compare. 

5. CONCLUSIONS 

The new Brownfields law provides a significant new opportunity to cleanup and reuse contaminated 

properties. EPA will be providing funds to communities for assessment and cleanup assistance. In 

addition to the ongoing reuse efforts in the Superfund, RCRA, UST and Federal facilities cleanup 

programs, this should help to facilitate the emerging private site reuse market. 

New technologies offer the potential to be more cost-effective than conventional approaches. In situ

technologies, in particular, are in large demand because they are usually less expensive and more 

acceptable than above-ground options. Federal agencies and the private sector are actively involved in 

developing and demonstrating new treatment and site characterization technologies. Various forms of 

partnering are instrumental in increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of these efforts. 

Figure 1: The six RTDF Action Teams 

Focus:

• Chlorinated solvents, metals

• Degradation/immobilization

• In ground water

Permeable Reactive Barriers Team

Focus:

• PAHs, chlorinated compounds, metals

• Degradation/containment

• In surface water

Sediments Remediation Team

Focus:

• Lead

• Immobilization/inactivation

• In soil

IINERT Soil-Metals Team

Focus:

• Chlorinated solvents

• Degradation

• In soil and ground water

Bioremediation Consortium

Focus:

• Petroleum refineries

• NAPL source removal/treatment

• In soil and groundwater

NAPL Alliance

Focus:

• Solvents, TPH, PAH

• Degradation/immobilization

• In soil and ground water

Phytoremediation Team

RTDF Action Teams RTDF Action Teams
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

276

Figure 2: Types of contaminants and media addressed by case studies 

50

73

2

27

20

6

27

18

24

5

1

8

4

17

11

4

3

10

1

5

1 1

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

FRTR Cost and Performance Case Studies

Summary of Contaminants and Media Treated *

* Some case studies address more than one type of media/contamin * Some case studies address more than one type of media/contaminant

Contaminant Types Contaminant Types

Number of Case Studies Number of Case Studies

Chlorinated

Solvents

Metals

BTEX and/

or TPH

PAHs

Radioactivity

PCBs

Pesticides/

Herbicides

Explosives

Soil Groundwater Debris/Solid
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

277

COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES 

Directors

Stephen C. James (Co-Director) 

National Risk Management Research Laboratory 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

26 Martin Luther King Dr. 

Cincinnati, OH 45268 

United States

tel: 513-569-7877 

fax: 513-569-7680 

e-mail: james.steve@epa.gov 

Walter W. Kovalick, Jr. (Co-Director) 

Technology Innovation Office 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (5102G) 

Washington, DC 20460 

United States

tel: 703-603-9910 

fax: 703-603-9135 

e-mail: kovalick.walter@epa.gov 

Co-Pilot Directors

Volker Franzius 

Umweltbundesamt 

Bismarckplatz 1 

D-14193 Berlin 

Germany 

tel: 49/30-8903-2496 

fax: 49/30-8903-2285 or -2103 

e-mail: volker.franzius@uba.de 

H. Johan van Veen 

TNO/MEP 

P.O. Box 342 

7800 AN Apeldoorn 

The Netherlands

tel: 31/555-49-3922 

fax: 31/555-49-3231 

e-mail: h.j.vanveen@mep.tno.nl 

Country Representatives 

Anahit Aleksandryan 

Ministry of Nature Protection 

35, Moskovyan Strasse 

375002 Yerevan 

Armenia 

tel: +37/42-538-838 

fax: +37/42-151-938 

e-mail: goga@arminco.com 

Harald Kasamas 

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, 

Environment 

and Water Management (BMLFUW) 

Division VI/3 - Contaminated Sites Programme 

Stubenbastei 5 

A-1010 Vienna 

Austria 

tel: +43-1-51522-3449 

fax: +43-1-51522-7432 

e-mail: harald.kasamas@bmlfuw.gv.at 

Jacqueline Miller 

Brussels University 

Avenue Jeanne 44 

1050 Brussels 

Belgium

tel: 32/2-650-3183 

fax: 32/2-650-3189 

e-mail: jmiller@ulb.ac.be 

Lisa Keller 

Environmental Technology Advancement 

Directorate 

Environment Canda – EPS 

12th Floor, Place Vincent Massey 

Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3 

Canada

tel: 819-953-9370 

fax: 819-953-0509 

e-mail: Lisa.Keller@ec.gc.ca 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

278

Jan Krhovsky 

Ministry of the Environment 

Department of Environmental Damages 

Vrsovická 65 

100 10 Prague 

Czech Republic 

tel: +420/2-6712-2729 

fax: +420/2-6731-0305 

e-mail: krhov@env.cz 

Ari Seppänen 

Ministry of Environment 

Ministry of Environment 

P.O. Box 35 

00093 Government 

Finland

tel: 358/9-160-397-15 

fax: 358/9-160-397-16 

e-mail: Ari.Seppanen@ymparisto.fi 

Christian Militon 

Environmental Impact and Contaminated Sites 

Department 

French Agency for Environment and Energy 

Management (ADEME) 

2, square La Fayette 

BP 406 

49004 ANGERS cedex 01 

France 

tel: (33)-2-41-91-40-51 

fax: (33)-2-41-91-40-03 

e-mail: christian.militon@ademe.fr 

Andreas Bieber 

Federal Ministry for the Environment 

Bernkasteler Str. 8 

53175 Bonn 

Germany 

tel: +49/01888-305-3431 

fax: +49/018888-305-2396 

e-mail: bieber.andreas@bmu.de 

Anthimos Xenidis 

National Technical University Athens 

52 Themidos Street 

15124 Athens 

Greece

tel: 30/1-0772-2043 

fax: 30/1-0772-2168 

e-mail: axen@central.ntua.gr 

Francesca Quercia 

ANPA - Agenzia Nazionale per la Protezione 

dell'Ambiente 

Via V. Brancati 48 

I - 00144 Rome 

Italy 

tel. 39/6-5007-2510 

fax 39/6-5007-2531 

e-mail: quercia@anpa.it 

Masaaki Hosomi 

Tokyo University of Agriculture and 

Technology 

2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei 

Tokyo 184 

Japan

tel: +81-423-887-070 

fax: +81-423-814-201 

e-mail: hosomi@cc.tuat.ac.jp 

Ilgonis Strauss 

Ministry of Environmental Protection and 

Regional Development 

Peldu Str. 25 

Riga, LV-1494 

Latvia 

tel: +371/7-026-405 

fax: +371/7-026-558 

e-mail: strauss@varam.gov.lv 

Keštutis Kadunas 

Hydrogeological Division, Geological Survey 

Konarskio 35 

2600 Vilnius 

Lithuania 

tel 370/2-236-272 

fax: 370/2-336-156 

e-mail: kestutis.kadunas@lgt.lt 

Bjørn Bjørnstad 

Norwegian Pollution Control Authority 

P.O. Box 8100 Dep 

N-0032 Oslo 

Norway

tel: 47/22-257-3664 

fax: 47/22-267-6706 

e-mail: bjorn.bjornstad@sft.telemax.no 

 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

279

Marco Antonio Medina Estrela 

ISQ - Instituto de Soldadura e Qualidade 

Centro de Tecnologias Ambientais 

Tagus Park 

EN 249-Km 3, Cabanas- Leiao (Tagus Park) 

Apartado 119 

2781 Oeiras – Codex 

Portugal

tel: +351/1-422-8100 

fax: +351/1-422-8129 

e-mail: maestrela@isq.pt 

Ioan Gherhes 

Mayor’s Office 

Municipality of Baia Mare 

37, Gh. Sincai Street 

4800 Baia Mare 

Romania 

tel: 40/94-206-500 

fax: 40/62-212-961 

e-mail: igherhes@baiamarecity.ro 

Branko Druzina 

Institute of Public Health 

Trubarjeva 2-Post Box 260 

6100 Ljubljana 

Slovenia

tel: 386/1-244-1486 

fax: 386/1-244-1447 

e-mail: branko.druzina@ivz-rs.si 

Bernard Hammer 

BUWAL 

Federal Department of the Interior 

3003 Bern 

Switzerland 

tel: 41/31-322-9307 

fax: 41/31-382-1546 

e-mail: bernard.hammer@buwal.admin.ch 

Kahraman Ünlü 

Department of Environmental Engineering 

Middle East Technical University 

Inönü Bulvari 

06531 Ankara 

Turkey

tel: 90-312-210-5869 

fax: 90-312-210-1260 

e-mail: kunlu@metu.edu.tr 

Theresa Kearney 

Environment Agency 

National Groundwater and Contaminated Land 

Centre 

Olton Court 10 Warwick Road, Olton 

Solihul, West Midlands B92 7HX 

United Kingdom 

tel: +44/121-711-2324 

fax: +44/121-711-5925 

e-mail: theresa.kearney@environmentagency.gov.uk
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

280

ATTENDEES LIST 

Anahit Aleksandryan (c.r.) 

Ministry of Nature Protection 

35 Moskovyan str. 

375002 Yerevan 

Republic of Armenia 

tel: 37/42-538-838 

fax: 37/42151-938 

e-mail: goga@arminico.com 

Meri Barbafieri 

Institute for Ecosystem Study 

Unit for Soil Chemistry 

CNR 

Via Moruzzi 1 

56124 Pisa 

Italy 

tel: 39/050-31524-87 

fax: 39/050-31524-73 

e-mail: barbafieri@ict.pi.cnr.it 

Paul M. Beam 

U.S. Department of Energy 

19901 Germantown Road 

Germantown, MD 20874-1290 

United States 

tel: 301-903-8133 

fax: 301-903-4307 

e-mail: paul.beam@em.doe.gov 

Andreas Bieber (c.r.)

Federal Ministry for the Environment 

Bernkasteler Str. 8 

53175 Bonn 

Germany 

tel: 49/228-305-305-3431 

fax: 49/228-305-305-2396 

e-mail: bieber.andreas@bmu.de 

Harald Burmeier 

Fachhochschule North-East Lower Saxony 

Department of Civil Engineering 

Herbert Meyer Strasse 7 

29556 Suderburg 

Germany 

tel: 49/5103-2000 

fax: 49/5103-7863 

e-mail: h.burmeier@t-online.de 

Claudio Carlon 

University of Venice Cà Foscari 

Department of Environmental Sciences 

Calle Larga Santa Marta 2137 

30123 Venice 

Italy 

tel: 39/041-234-8564 

fax: 39/041-234-8548 

e-mail: carlon@unive.it 

Cliff Casey 

Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering 

Command 

PO Box 190010 

North Charleston, SC 29419-9010 

USA 

tel: 843-820-5561 

fax: 843-820-7465 

e-mail: caseycc@efdsouth.navfac.navy.mil

Maria da Conceição Cunha 

ISEC 

Quinta da Nora 

3030 Coimbra 

Portugal 

tel: +351 239722694 

e-mail: mccunha@isec.pt 

Andreas Dahmke 

Institute of Geosciences, Department Applied 

Geology 

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel 

Olshausenstraße 40 

24098 Kiel 

Germany 

tel: +49/4318802858 

fax: +49/4318807606 

e-mail: ad@gpi.uni-kiel.de 

Branko Druzina (c.r.)

Institute of Public Health 

Trubarjeva 2-Post Box 260 

6100 Ljubljana 

Slovenia 

tel: 386/1-432-3245 

fax: 386/1-232-3955 

e-mail: branko.druzina@ivz-rs.si 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

281

Vítor Ap. Martins dos Santos 

German Research Centre for Biotechnology 

Mascheroder Weg 1 

D-38124 Braunschweig 

Germany 

tel: +49/531-6181-422 

fax: +49/531-6181-411 

e-mail: vds@gbf.de 

Wayne Einfeld 

Sandia National Laboratories 

P.O. Box 5800 

Department 6612 

Albuquerque, NM 87185-0755 

United States 

tel: 505-845-8314 

fax: 505-844-0968 

e-mail: weinfel@sandia.gov 

Marco Antonio Medina Estrela 

ISQ – Instituto de Solidadura E Qualidade 

EN 249 – Km 3, Cabanas – Leiao (Tagus Park) 

Apartado 119 

2781 Oeiras – Codex 

Portugal 

tel: +351/1-422-8100 

fax: +351/1-422-8129 

e-mail: maestrela@isq.pt 

Volker Franzius 

Umweltbundesamt 

Bismarckplatz 1 

D-14193 Berlin 

Germany 

tel: 49/30-8903-2496 

fax: 49/30-8903-2285 or -2103 

e-mail: volker.franzius@uba.de 

Wouter Gevaerts 

Gedas Milieu 

Clara Snellingstraat 27 

2100 Deurne 

Belgium 

tel: 32/3/360 8300 

fax: 32/3/360 8301 

e-mail: info@gedas.be

Ioan Gherhes (c.r.)

Mayor’s Office 

Municipality of Baia Mare 

37, Gh. Sincai Street 

4800 Baia Mare 

Romania 

tel: 40/94-206-500 

fax: 40/62-212-961 

e-mail: igherhes@baiamarecity.ro 

Bernhard Hammer (c.r.) 

BUWAL 

Federal Department of the Interior 

3003 Bern 

Switzerland 

tel: 41/31-322-9307 

fax: 41/31-382-1546 

e-mail: bernard.hammer@buwal.admin.ch 

Alwyn Hart 

Environment Agency 

National Groundwater and Contaminated Land 

Centre 

Olton Court 

10 Warwick Road 

Olton 

Solihull B92 7HX 

United Kingdom 

tel: 44/121 711 5879 

fax: 44/121 711 5925 

e-mail: alwyn.hart@environment-agency.co.uk

 

Henri Halen 

SPAQuE (Public Society for the Quality of 

Environment) - Wallonia 

Boulevard d'Avroy, 38/6 

4000 Liège 

Belgium 

tel: 32/4-220.94.82 

fax: 32/4-221.40.43 

e-mail: h.halen@spaque.be 

Pablo Higueras (c.r.)

University of Castilla-La Mancha 

Almaden School of Mines 

Plaza Manuel Meca, 1 

13400 Almadén (Ciudad Real) 

Spain 

tel: +34 926441898 (work in Puertollano) 

fax: +34 926421984 

e-mail: phigueras@igem-al.uclm.es 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

282

Masaaki Hosomi (c.r.) 

Tokyo University of Agriculture and 

Technology 

2-24-16 Nakamachi, Koganei 

Tokyo 184 

Japan 

tel: 81/3-423-887-070 

fax: 81/3-423-814-201 

e-mail: hosomi@cc.tuat.ac.jp 

Stephen C. James (Co-Director)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

26 Martin Luther King Dr. 

Cincinnati, OH 45268 

United States 

tel: 513-569-7877 

fax: 513-569-7680 

e-mail: james.steve@epa.gov 

Keštutis Kadunas (c.r.)

Hydrogeological Division, Geological Survey 

Konarskio 35 

2600 Vilnius 

Lithuania 

tel 370/2-236-272 

fax: 370/2-336-156 

e-mail: kestutis.kadunas@lgt.lt 

Harald Kasamas (c.r.)

Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft und 

Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und 

Wasserwirtschaft (BMLFUW) 

Abteilung VI/3 - Abfallwirtschaft und 

Altlastenmanagement 

Stubenbastei 5 

A-1010 Wien, Österreich 

Austria 

tel: +43-1-51522-3449 

email: harald.kasamas@bmu.gv.at 

Theresa Kearney (c.r.) 

Environment Agency 

National Groundwater and Contaminated Land 

Centre 

Olton Court 10 Warwick Road, Olton 

Solihul, West Midlands B92 7HX 

United Kingdom 

tel: +44/121—711-2324 

fax: +44/121—711-5925 

e-mail: theresa.kearney@environmentagency.gov.uk 

Amy Keith 

NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center 

Building 4200, Room 436 

MSFC, Alabama 35812 

United States of America 

tel: 256-544-7434 

fax: 256-544-8259 

e-mail: amy.keith@msfc.nasa.gov 

Lisa Keller (c.r.) 

Contaminated Sites Division 

Environmental Technologies 

Advancement Directorate 

Environment Canada 

351 St. Joseph Blvd, 19th floor 

Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3 

Canada 

tel: (819) 953-9370 

fax: (819) 953-0509 

e-mail: Lisa.Keller@ec.gc.ca 

Eric N. Koglin 

U.S. EPA 

NERL, ESD-LV 

P.O. Box 93478 

Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-3478 

United States 

tel: 702-798-2432 

fax: 702-798-2107 

e-mail: koglin.eric@epa.gov

Walter W. Kovalick, Jr. (Co-Director)

Technology Innovation Office 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (5102G) 

Washington, DC 20460 

United States 

tel: 703-603-9910 

fax: 703-603-9135 

e-mail: kovalick.walter@epa.gov 

 

Jan Krohovsky (c.r.)

Ministry of the Environment 

Department of Environmental Damages 

Vrsovická 65 

100 10 Prague 

Czech Republic 

tel: +420/2-6712-2729 

fax: +420/2-6731-0305 

e-mail: krhov@env.cz 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

283

Hans-Peter Koschitzky 

University of Stuttgart 

Institut für Wasserbau 

Pfaffenwaldring 61 

D-70550 Stuttgart (Vaihingen) 

Germany 

tel: +49/711-685-47-17-14 

fax: +49/711-685-70-20 

e-mail: koschi@iws.uni-stuttgart.de 

John Liskowitz 

ARS Technologies Inc. 

114 North Ward cStreet 

New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 

United States 

tel: +732-296-6620 

fax: +732-296-6625 

e-mail: JJL@arstechnologies.com 

Claudio Mariotti 

Aquater S.p.A, ENI Group 

Via Miralbello 43 

61047 San Lorenzo in Campo 

Italy 

tel: 39/0721-731-511 

fax: 39/0721-731-376 

e-mail: claudio.mariotti@aquater.eni.it 

Peter Merkel 

SAFIRA 

Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie 

Sigwartstr. 10 

D-72076 Tübingen 

Germany 

tel: +49/7071-297-5041 

fax: +49/7071-5059 

e-mail: peter.merkel@uni-tuegingen.de 

Jacqueline Miller (c.r.)

Brussels University 

Avenue Jeanne 44 

1050 Brussels 

Belgium 

tel: 32/2-650-3183 

fax: 32/2-650-3189 

e-mail: jmiller@ulb.ac.be 

Christian Militon (c.r.)

Environmental Impact and Contaminated Sites 

Department 

French Agency for Environment and Energy 

Management (ADEME) 

2, square La Fayette 

BP 406 

49004 ANGERS cedex 01 FRANCE 

tel: (33)-2-41-91-40-51 

fax: (33)-2-41-91-40-03 

e-mail: christian.militon@ademe.fr 

Francesca Quercia (c.r.) 

ANPA - Agenzia Nazionale per la Protezione 

dell'Ambiente 

Via V. Brancati 48 

I - 00144 Rome 

Italy 

tel. 39/6-5007-2510 

fax 39/6-5007-2531 

e-mail quercia@anpa.it 

Charles Reeter 

U.S. Navy, NAVFAC 

Engineering Services Center 

1100 23rd. Avenue, Code 414 

Port Huename, California 93043 

United States 

tel: +805-982-4991 

fax: +805-982-4304 

e-mail: reetercv@nfesc.navy.mil 

Steven A. Rock 

Environmental Engineer 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

National Risk Management Research Laboratory 

26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. 

Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 

United States 

tel: 513-569-7149 

fax: 513-569-7879 

e-mail: rock.steven@epa.gov 

Phillippe Scauflaire 

SPAQUE 

Boulevard d’Avroy, 38 

4000 Liege 

Belgium 

tel: +32/4-220-9411 

fax: +32/4-221-4043 

e-mail: p.scauflaire@spaque.be 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

284

Ari Seppänen (c.r.)

Ministry of Environment 

P.O. Box 399 

00121 Helsinki 

Finland 

tel: 358/9-199-197-15 

fax: 358/9-199-196-30 

e-mail: Ari.Seppanen@vyh.fi 

Robert Siegrist 

Colorado School of Mines 

Environmental Science and Engineering 

Division 

112 Coolbaugh Hall 

Golden, CO 80401-1887 

United States 

tel: 303-273-3490 

fax: 303-273-3413 

e-mail: rsiegris@mines.edu 

Kai Steffens 

PROBIOTEC GmbH 

Schillingsstraße 333 

D 52355 Düren-Gürzenich 

Germany 

tel: 49/2421-69090 

fax: 49/2421-690961 

e-mail: steffans@probiotec.de 

Ilgonis Strauss 

Ministry of Environmental Protection and 

Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia 

Peldu iela 25 

Riga, LV-1494 

Latvia 

tel: +371 7026 405 

fax: +371 7026 558 

e-mail: strauss@varam.gov.lv 

Jan Svoma 

Aquatest a.s. 

Geologicka 4 

152 00 Prague 5 

Czech Republic 

tel: 420/2-581-83-80 

fax: 420/2-581-77-58 

e-mail: aquatest@aquatest.cz 

Georg Teutsch 

University of Tübingen 

Sigwartstraße 10 

72076 Tübingen 

Germany 

tel: 49/707-1297-6468 

fax: 49 707-150-59 

e-mail: georg.teutsch@uni-tuebigen.de 

Kahraman Ünlü (c.r.)

Department of Environmental Engineering 

Middle East Technical University 

Inönü Bulvari 

06531 Ankara 

Turkey 

tel: 90/312-210-5869 

fax: 90/312-210-1260 

e-mail: kunlu@metu.edu.tr 

Jurjen K. van Deen 

GeoDelft 

P.O.Box 69 

NL 2600 AB Delft 

Netherlands 

tel: 31/15-2693-730 

fax: 31/15-2610-821 

e-mail: j.k.vandeen@geodelft.nl 

H. Johan Van Veen (c.r.)

TNO/MEP 

P.O. Box 342 

7800 AH Apeldoorn 

The Netherlands 

tel: 31/555-49-3922 

fax: 31/555-49-3231 

e-mail: h.j..vanveen@mep.tno.nl 

Joop Vegter 

The Technical Committee on Soil Protection 

(TCB) 

Postbus 30947 

2500 GX The Hague 

The Netherlands 

tel: 31/70-339-30-34 

fax: 31/70-339-13-42 

e-mail: tcb@euronet.nl 

John Vijgen 

Consultant 

Elmevej 14 

DK-2840 Holte 

Denmark 

tel: 45 /45 41 03 21 

fax: 45 /45 41 09 04 

e-mail: john.vijgen@get2net.dk 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

285

Gary Wealthall 

Environment and Hazards Directorate 

British Geological Survey 

Keyworth 

NG12 5GGNottingham 

United Kingdom 

tel: 44/115-936-3541 

fax: 44/115-936-3261 

e-mail: g.wealthall@bgs.ac.uk 

Anthimos Xenidis (c.r.)

National Technical University Athens 

52 Themidos Street 

15124 Athens 

Greece 

tel: 30/1-772-2043 

fax: 30/1-772-2168 

e-mail: axen@central.ntua.gr 

Mehmet Ali Yukselen 

Marmara University 

Environmental Engineering Department 

Goztepe 81040 Istanbul 

Turkey 

tel: 90/216-348-1369 

fax: 90/216-348 -0293 

e-mail: yukelsen@mutek.org.tr
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

286

PILOT STUDY MISSION 

October 1997 

PHASE III C Continuation of NATO/CCMS Pilot Study: 

Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment 

of Contaminated Land and Groundwater

1. BACKGROUND TO PROPOSED STUDY 

The problems of contamination resulting from inappropriate handling of wastes, including accidental 

releases, are faced to some extent by all countries. The need for cost-effective technologies to apply to 

these problems has resulted in the application of new/innovative technologies and/or new applications of 

existing technologies. In many countries, there is increasingly a need to justify specific projects and 

explain their broad benefits given the priorities for limited environmental budgets. Thus, the 

environmental merit and associated cost-effectiveness of the proposed solution will be important in the 

technology selection decision. 

Building a knowledge base so that innovative and emerging technologies are identified is the impetus for 

the NATO/CCMS Pilot Study on “Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the 

Treatment of Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase II).” Under this current study, new 

technologies being developed, demonstrated, and evaluated in the field are discussed. This allows each of 

the participating countries to have access to an inventory of applications of individual technologies, which 

allows each country to target scarce internal resources at unmet needs for technology development. The 

technologies include biological, chemical, physical, containment, solidification/stabilization, and thermal 

technologies for both soil and groundwater. This current (Phase II) pilot study draws from an extremely 

broad representation and the follow up would work to expand this. 

The current pilot study examined over fifty environmental projects. There were nine fellowships awarded 

to the study. A team of pilot study country representatives and fellows is currently preparing an extensive 

report of the pilot study activities. Numerous presentations and publications reported about the pilot study 

activities over the five-year period. In addition to participation from NATO countries, NACC and other 

European and Asian-Pacific countries participated. This diverse group promoted an excellent atmosphere 

for technology exchange. An extension of the pilot study will provide a platform for continued 

discussions in this environmentally challenging arena. 

2. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES 

The United States proposes a follow-up (Phase III) study to the existing NATO/CCMS study titled 

“Evaluation of Demonstrated and Emerging Technologies for the Treatment of Contaminated Land and 

Groundwater.” The focus of Phase III would be the technical approaches for addressing the treatment of 

contaminated land and groundwater. This phase would draw on the information presented under the prior 

studies and the expertise of the participants from all countries. The output would be summary documents 

addressing cleanup problems and the array of currently available and newly emerging technical solutions. 

The Phase III study would be technologically orientated and would continue to address technologies. 

Issues of sustainability, environmental merit, and cost-effectiveness would be enthusiastically addressed. 

Principles of sustainability address the use of our natural resources. Site remediation addresses the 

management of our land and water resources. Sustainable development addresses the reuse of 

contaminated land instead of the utilization of new land. This appeals to a wide range of interests because 

it combines economic development and environmental protection into a single system. The objectives of 

the study are to critically evaluate technologies, promote the appropriate use of technologies, use 

information technology systems to disseminate the products, and to foster innovative thinking in the area 

of contaminated land. International technology verification is another issue that will enable technology 

users to be assured of minimal technology performance. This is another important issue concerning use of 

innovative technologies. This Phase III study would have the following goals: 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

287

a) In-depth discussions about specific types of contaminated land problems (successes and failures) 

and the suggested technical solutions from each country=s perspective, 

b) Examination of selection criteria for treatment and cleanup technologies for individual projects, 

c) Expand mechanisms and channels for technology information transfer, such as the NATO/CCMS 

Environmental Clearinghouse System, 

d) Examination/identification of innovative technologies, 

e) Examining the sustainable use of remedial technologiesClooking at the broad environmental 

significance of the project, thus the environmental merit and appropriateness of the individual 

project. 

3. DURATION 

November 1997 to May 2002 for meetings. 

Completion of final report: January 2003. 

4. SCOPE OF WORK 

First, the Phase III study would enable participating countries to continue to present and exchange 

technical information on demonstrated technologies for the cleanup of contaminated land and 

groundwater. During the Phase II study, these technical information exchanges benefited both the 

countries themselves and technology developers from various countries. This technology information 

exchange and assistance to technology developers would therefore continue. Emphasis would be on 

making the pilot study information available. Use of existing environmental data systems such as the 

NATO/CCMS Environmental Clearinghouse System will be pursued. The study would also pursue the 

development of linkages to other international initiatives on contaminated land remediation. 

As in the Phase II study, projects would be presented for consideration and, if accepted by other countries, 

they would be discussed at the meetings and later documented. Currently, various countries support 

development of hazardous waste treatment/cleanup technologies by governmental assistance and private 

funds. This part of the study would report on and exchange information of ongoing work in the 

development of new technologies in this area. As with the current study, projects would be presented for 

consideration and if accepted, fully discussed at the meetings. Individual countries can bring experts to 

report on projects that they are conducting. A final report would be prepared on each project or category 

of projects (such as thermal, biological, containment, etc.) and compiled as the final study report. 

Third, the Phase III study would identify specific contaminated land problems and examine these 

problems in depth. The pilot study members would put forth specific problems, which would be 

addressed in depth by the pilot study members at the meetings. Thus, a country could present a specific 

problem such as contamination at an electronics manufacturing facility, agricultural production, organic 

chemical facility, manufactured gas plant, etc. Solutions and technology selection criteria to address these 

problems would be developed based on the collaboration of international experts. These discussions 

would be extremely beneficial for the newly industrializing countries facing cleanup issues related to 

privatization as well as developing countries. Discussions should also focus on the implementation of 

incorrect solutions for specific projects. The documentation of these failures and the technical 

understanding of why the project failed will be beneficial for those with similar problems. Sustainability, 

environmental merit, and cost-benefit aspects would equally be addressed. 

Finally, specific area themes for each meeting could be developed. These topics could be addressed in 

one-day workshops as part of the CCMS meeting. These topic areas would be selected and developed by 

the pilot study participants prior to the meetings. These areas would be excellent venues for expert 

speakers and would encourage excellent interchange of ideas. 
NATO/CCMS Pilot Project on Contaminated Land and Groundwater (Phase III) January 2003 

 

288

5. NON-NATO PARTICIPATION 

It is proposed that non-NATO countries be invited to participate or be observers at this NATO/CCMS 

Pilot Study. Proposed countries may be Brazil, Japan, and those from Central and Eastern Europe. It is 

proposed that the non-NATO countries (Austria, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Hungary, 

Slovenia, Russian Federation, etc.) participating in Phase II be extended for participation in Phase III of 

the pilot study. Continued involvement of Cooperation Partner countries will be pursued. 

 

6. REQUEST FOR PILOT STUDY ESTABLISHMENT 

It is requested of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society that they approve the establishment 

of the Phase III Continuation of the Pilot Study on the Demonstration of Remedial Action Technologies 

for Contaminated Land and Groundwater. 

Pilot Country: United States of America 

Lead Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Directors: 

Stephen C. James 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Office of Research and Development 

26 W. Martin Luther King Dr. 

Cincinnati, OH 45268 

tel: 513-569-7877 

fax: 513-569-7680 

e-mail: james.steve@epa.gov 

Walter W. Kovalick, Jr., Ph.D. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

Technology Innovation Office (5102G) 

1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW 

Washington, DC 20460 

tel: 703-603-9910 

fax: 703-603-9135 

e-mail: kovalick.walter@epa.gov 

Co-Partner Countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, 

France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, 

Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, 

United Kingdom, United States 

Addenda

Phase III Meetings Held: February 23-27, 1998, in Vienna, Austria 

May 9-14, 1999, in Angers, France 

June 26-30, 2000, in Wiesbaden, Germany 

September 9-14, 2001, in Liège, Belgium 

May 5-10, 2002, Rome, Italy